About The Artist

About The Artist

André Martínez

  • Andre Martinez in Brooklyn, New York.

    Biography: André Martinez He was born in Downtown Brooklyn. Martinez grew up in an environment where artistic expression, particularly music, was highly prized. His uncle Frankie Martinez was a musician, bandleader, teacher, and arranger. Another uncle, Angel Marrero a virtuoso guitarist who led his orchestra and worked with Tito Guizar, Xavier Cugat, and many others. His father Henry (Hank) Martinez, was a master builder and master carpenter of high-end cabinetry and inventor http://cyberneticzoo.com/underwater-robotics/1965-diving-suit-henry-martinez-charles-opalek-american/.

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    Frankie "Tito" Martinez - Guitar - photo taken in the Borscht Belt - Catskills NY where he worked as band leader for many years along side many legendary entertainers.





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    Uncle Angel Marrero




    As a youth in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Martinez participated in gifted and talented school programs. As part of this program, he credits his jazz teacher and mentor, Fred Silverman, for his encouragement to pursue the arts. 

    My Image     Percussionist with Jr. High School Orchestra - Fred Silverman - Conductor

    A significant event in his life occurred in his youth when Marianne McPartland invited his class to meet Leonard Bernstein and Beverly Sills in rehearsal at Lincoln Center Philharmonic — followed by a meeting with Buddy Rich at his club in NYC. Music and art would become his destiny.

    He continued his music studies at Brooklyn College and with many noted teachers and musicians. Some were Rick Kravitz, Jerry Gonzalez, Gene Golden, Beaver Harris, Michael Narada Walden, Jackie Masonet, Tommy Lopez, Dom Um Romao, Milton Cardona, Frankie Malabe, Chief Baba Bey, Pedro Morejon, Erasto Vasconselos, and others.

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    The great Dom Um Romao on top right with Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 


    The Music Years 1970- 2022:

    • In the 1970's he leads his Afro-Latin Ensemble - El Monté, which performed throughout New York City. They performed at Columbia University International House, The Door, Pratt University, Dance Africa at BAM in Brooklyn, and did various live radio shows from The Nuyorícan Poets Café.

     

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      Percussionist with Shaheed Singh Punjab Folkdance Company doing many concerts and television shows through tri - state
       area in NYC. Won citations in 1978,1979, and 1980 in Columbia University.

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    Performance at Lincoln Center

    • Percussionist with Afrikan Wood Wind Society - Wali Yaya - director/poet. performing in many cultural festivals throughout NYC.

    • Later, in the late 1970s, he co-led Píe De Boí, a Brazilian Samba band with Guilherme Franco performing at many NYC venues. The Mudd Club,  The Theater District, Town Hall, The Village Gate,  recorded on Harris Simon's Wind Chant . The band was written about in Interview  and Machete magazine in Brazil. Many of this ensemble's legendary members Alyrio Lima, Jimmy Cruiz, Don Suarez, Dom Um Romao, Ronnie Burrage, Cyro Baptista, Duduka Fonsceca and many went on to lead and perform with many great musicians and bandleaders.My Image
    The Cecil Taylor Years

    In the early 1980s, Martinez embarked on a personal and creative relationship with pianist Cecil Taylor  that ultimately lasted over two decades, including 11 years as an active member of Taylor's band. He toured the world as Taylor's drummer/percussionist in trios, quartet, quintets, sextet, octets and in Big Bands formats appearing on the albums Nicaragua: No Pasaran, and Winged Serpent, Music of Two Continents – Cecil Taylor, the video Burning Poles, Cecil Taylor - Aliocha and many other recordings, as well as performing hundreds of shows during a period that introduced a new theatricality and cohesiveness to the group's presentation—recently celebrated at the new Whitney Museum - Cecil Taylor/Open Plan exhibition in 2016 event and
    Brooklyn College Presents - Unit Structures- The Music Of Cecil Taylor in 2019.
    Music From Two Continents - Warsaw Jamboree 1984 - Historic release  12/2021
    Cecil Taylor/ André Martinez: article link

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    My Image Cecil Taylor Trio - André Martinez -Drums, William Parker - Bass in concert - Real Art's Way - Hartford Connecticut
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    Jimmy Lyons & André - Live in Berliner Philharmonie 1983 
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          Andre Martinez with the Cecil Taylor Unit 1981-1992 
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    Cecil Taylor Quartet - William Parker - Bass, André Martinez - Drums & Percussion, Tony Oxley - Drums
    Burning Poles - Live -  Barcelona Concert  - 1990   
    Cecil Taylor Quartet - Burning Poles - Live - 1990 - Barcelona link 

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    • Most performances took place as part of major festivals in the following Cities/Countries: 
    • Salzburg, Austria
    • Saalfelden, Austria
    • Vienna, Austria
    • Innsbruck, Austria
    • East Berlin, Germany
    • West Berlin, Germany
    • Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
    • Montreal, Canada
    • Toronto, Canada
    • Victoria Ville, Canada
    • Prague, Czechoslovakia
    • London, England
    • Paris, France
    • Lyon, France
    • Hunziken, Switzerland
    • Berlin, Germany
    • Strasbourg, Germany
    • Munich, Germany
    • Hamburg, Germany
    • Rome, Italy
    • Milan, Italy
    • Bologna, Italy
    • Pavia, Italy
    • Messina, Sicily
    • Warsaw, Poland
    • Cagliari, Sardinia
    • Saragossa, Spain
    • Barcelona, Spain
    • Madrid, Spain
    • Bern, Switzerland
    • Zurich, Switzerland
    • Basil, Switzerland
    • Lucerne, Switzerland
    • Orleans, France
    • Sao Paulo, Brazil
    • Nancy, France
    • Quebec, Canada
    • Cologne, Germany
    • Beaufort, France
    • Brussels, Belgium

     

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    • Major Concerts: US
    • New England Foundation for the Arts Concert Series - Cecil Taylor Trio ( Andre Martinez Drums and Percussion / William Parker Contra Bass) 
    • STRUCTOLITE TOUR 
    • Spaulding Auditorium Dartmouth College Hanover
    • NH Maine Center for the Arts University of Maine Orono
    • ME Langston Hughes Center Providence
    • RI Residential Arts Center University of MA-Amherst Amherst MA
    • Berkshire Museum Pittsfield
    • MA Flynn Theater Burlington
    • VT Polish National House Hartford CT
    • Strand Theater Dorchester, MA
    • Knitting Factory, NYC (Quintet - Cecil Taylor, Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Andre Martinez, Rev. Frank Wright.)
    • Knitting Factory, NYC (Orchestra - C. Taylor, W. Parker, A. Martinez, Tony Oxley, Glen Spearman, David Ware, C. Ward, R. Malik, T. Barker, J. Bruschini, Evelyn Blakely.)
    • Blue Note, NYC (Quartet - C. Taylor, J. Lyons, W. Parker, A. Martinez.)
    • Judson Street Church, NYC (Orchestra - C. Taylor, J. Lyons, Rev F. Wright, W. Parker, K. Borca, R. Bakr, B. Bakr, A. Martinez, Abdul Fatah Muneer, Eve Smith, Craig Harris, G. Spearman.)
    • Condon’s, NYC (Trio - C. Taylor, W. Parker, A. Martinez.)
    • Art Park Jazz Festival, Niagara, NY (Quintet - C. Taylor, J. Lyons, W. Parker, R. Bakr, A. Martinez.)
    • Imac Theater, Live Video, Long Island City (Quintet - C. Taylor, W. Parker, A. Martinez, J. Lyons, Rev. F. Wright.)
    • Chicago, Jazz Festival (Unit: C. Taylor, W. Parker, J. Lyons, A. Martinez, R. Bakr, B. Bakr.)
    • Irving Plaza, NYC (C. Taylor, W. Parker, J. Lyons, F. Wright, R. Campbell, A. Martinez.)
    • Lehigh University, Bethlehem Pa Trio. (C. Taylor, W. Parker, A. Martinez.) Kimball’s,
    • San Francisco (Quintet - C. Taylor, J. Lyons W. Parker, A. Martinez, Rev. F. Wright.)
    • Mystic Fire Video, NYC (Quartet - C. Taylor, W. Parker, A. Martinez, T. Oxley)
    • Lush Life, NYC (Orchestra - C. Taylor, J. Lyons, W. Parker, R. Bakr, D. Carter, A. Martinez, K. Borca, L. Bowie, D. Murray, S. Coleman, A Muneer)
    • Cleveland Institute of Music, Ohio (Trio - C. Taylor, W. Parker, A. Martinez.)
    • Village Vanguard, NYC (Trio - C. Taylor, W. Parker, A. Martinez.)
    • Sweet Basil's, NYC (C. Taylor, J. Lyons. Bakr, B. Bakr, Revd.. Wright, W. Parker, A. Martinez)




    The Cecil Taylor Unit (1980 – 1992) with André Martinez

          Recorded  Materials - Part 1

    • Cecil Taylor Quintet – Live at Lush Life – NYC – Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr, André Martinez with Special Guest – Lester Bowie (1981)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Quintet – Art Park – Lewiston, NY– Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr, André Martinez ( 8-15-1982)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Quintet – Live at the Chicago Jazz Festival - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker,  Rashid Bakr, André Martinez (1982)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Quintet Rehearsal at CT house – Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr, André Martinez

     

    • Cecil Taylor Quintet – Vienna Austria Akademia Theater -  Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez (3/8/1983)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit - Live at the Blue Note – NYC - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Frank Wright , André Martinez  (1984)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez ,Brenda Bakr & Sounds In Motion (11/16/1983)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez ,Brenda Bakr & Sounds In Motion (11/16/1983)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit & Ballet - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr, André MartinezBrenda Bakr & Sounds In Motion (1983)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez ,Brenda Bakr & Sounds In Motion (11/16/1983)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit - Paris – Teatré Musical - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, André Martinez Karen  Borca, Gunter Hampel, Frank Wright, Tomaso Stanko, John Tchicai - (1984)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit -  Victoriaville, Canada - William Parker, André Martinez , Gregg Bendian (7/10/1989)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit - Aliocha - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rev. Frank Wright, André Martinez

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit -  Mannheim  - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez ,Brenda Bakr & Sounds In Motion (11/3/1983) Part l & II

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit -  Orleans France - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez ,Brenda (10/29/1983)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit - Berlin Der Philharmonie - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez ,Brenda Bakr & Sounds In Motion (11/16/1983) Part One

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit -  Berlin Der Philharmonie - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez Brenda Bakr & Sounds In Motion (11/16/1983) Part Two

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit - Madrid - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez Brenda Bakr

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit -  Grant Park, Chicago - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, Glen Spearman, Raphé Malik & Lester Bowie (9/02/1982)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit -  Lush Life -  NYC - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez ,Brenda Bakr & Sounds In Motion (07/03/1982)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit -  Berlin Der Philharmonie - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez Brenda Bakr & Sounds In Motion (11/16/1983) Part One

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit -  Berlin Der Philharmonie - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez Brenda Bakr (11/16/1983)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit -  Berlin Willisau - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez ,Brenda Bakr & Sounds In Motion (08/27/1983)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit -  Berlin Der Philharmonie - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez ,Brenda Bakr & Sounds In Motion (11/16/1983) Part One

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit -  Cagliari, Sicily - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez ,Brenda Bakr (03/14/1983)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit -  Rugiben - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez Brenda Bakr & Sounds In Motion (12/20/1984)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit -  IMAC Theater - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez ,Brenda Bakr & Sounds In Motion (11/16/1983) Part One

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit -  Berlin Der Philharmonie - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez , Brenda Bakr (04/09/1983)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit -  Dorbirn Austria - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez  
    • (03/11/1983) Part One

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit -  Dankirk - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez Brenda Bakr 7 Dancers (10/30/1983)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit -  Berlin Der Philharmonie - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez Brenda Bakr & Sounds In Motion (11/16/1983) Part One

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit - Lush Life - - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez , Glen Spearman, David Murray, Steve Coleman, Charles Tyler, Ken Simon, Butch Morris, Fataah Muneer Abdul, James Newton, Craig Harris, Eve Smith,Brenda Bakr, Karen Borca, Raphé Malik  ( 1981)

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit -  Lush Life - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr, André Martinez, Raphe Malik

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit -  Sweet Basil’s - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez , Brenda Bakr , Rev. Frank Wright

     

    • Cecil Taylor Unit -  Nancy, France - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid  Bakr, André Martinez ,Brenda Bakr & Sounds In Motion (10/18/1983)

    The Cecil Taylor Unit (1980 – 1992) with André Martinez

     Recorded  Materials Part 2

    1. Cecil Taylor Quintet – Live at Lush Life – NYC – Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr, André Martinez with Special Guest – Lester Bowie (1981)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit– Art Park – Lewiston, NY– Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr, André Martinez ( 8-15-1982)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit– Live at the Chicago Jazz Festival - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker,  Rashid Bakr, André Martinez (1982)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit Rehearsal at CT house – Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr,

                  André Martinez

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit– Vienna Austria Akademia Theater  - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker,               Rashid Bakr, André Martinez (1983)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit – Zaragosa – Spain - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr, André Martinez, Brenda Bakr (10/1983)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit – Orleans France - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr, André Martinez, Brenda Bakr (3/8/1983)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit –Bolonga – Spain - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr, André Martinez, Brenda Bakr (3/12/1983)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit - Saafeldon - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr, André Martinez, Brenda Bakr (4/9/1983)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit –Festival – Europe - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr, André Martinez, Brenda Bakr (3/8/1983)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit – Zaragosa – Spain - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr, André Martinez, Brenda Bakr (3/8/1983)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit – Zaragosa – Spain - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr, André Martinez, Brenda Bakr (3/8/1983)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit –Music from Two Continents - Hunziken - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, André Martinez, Rev. Frank Wright, Karen Borca, Tomaso Stanko, John Tchicai, Gunter Hampel,  (10/20/1984)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit –Music from Two Continents - Hunziken - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, André Martinez, Rev. Frank Wright, Karen Borca, Tomaso Stanko, John Tchicai, Gunter Hampel,  (10/1984)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit –Music from Two Continents - Paris - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, André Martinez, Rev. Frank Wright, Karen Borca, Tomaso Stanko, John Tchicai, Gunter Hampel,  (10/20/1984)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit –Music from Two Continents - Paris -  Backstage chant and concert -Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, André Martinez, Rev. Frank Wright, Karen Borca, Tomaso Stanko, John Tchicai, Gunter Hampel,  (10/20/1984) Part II

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit –Music from Two Continents - Paris -  Backstage chant and concert -Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, André Martinez, Rev. Frank Wright, Karen Borca, Tomaso Stanko, John Tchicai, Gunter Hampel,  (10/20/1984)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit –Music from Two Continents - Vieligen - Black Forest – LP - rehearsal Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, André Martinez, Rev. Frank Wright, Karen Borca, Tomaso Stanko, John Tchicai, Gunter Hampel,  (10/20/1984)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit –Basel - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr, André Martinez, Brenda Bakr (1983)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit –Saafelden- Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr, André Martinez, Brenda Bakr (4/9/1983)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit –Basel- Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr, André Martinez, Brenda Bakr (12/11/1985)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit & Diane McIntyre – Eye of The Crocodile - Judson Street Church - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr, André Martinez, Brenda Bakr (3/8/1983)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit –Sweet Basil’s NY - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr, André Martinez, Brenda Bakr ( )

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit – Sardinia - Jimmy Lyons, William Parker, Rashid Bakr, André Martinez, Brenda Bakr (3/8/1983)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Trio – Condon’s NYC - William Parker & André Martinez, (1/13/91)
    2. Cecil Taylor Unit –Rada – Live at the Knitting Factory - William Parker, André Martinez,Tony Oxley, Thurman Bakr, Raphé Malik, Glen Spearman, Carlos Ward  (1/15/1991)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Quartet – Blues Alley - Japan – William Parker, André Martinez, Tony Oxley (1990)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit –Rada – Live at the Knitting Factory - William Parker, André Martinez,Tony Oxley, Thurman Bakr, Raphé Malik, Glen Spearman, Carlos Ward  (5/9/1991)

     

    1. Cecil Taylor Unit –Rada – Live at the Knitting Factory - William Parker, André Martinez, Tony Oxley, Thurman Bakr, Raphé Malik, Glen Spearman, Carlos Ward  (1/13/1991

    Publications:
    The Penguin Book of Jazz Encyclopedia
    William Parker A Sessionograhpy - Rick Lopez
    William Parker - Univeral Tonality - Cisco Bradley
    African Dance - An Artistic Historical and Philosophical Inquiry - Kariamu Weish Asante
    Jazzing: New York City's Unseen Scene -Thomas H. Greenland
     
    In Luminous Brewing- Cecil Taylor - Biography - Phil Freeman (Book)
    A Sessionography - William Parker - Rick Lopez - Author - http://www.bb10k.com/PARKER.disc.htm

     

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    Meeting up again with Tony Oxley for the first time after twenty five years since our performance in 1992 Barcelona.


    Vibes Afit


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    Earth People
    Reviews


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    Yes,Exactly,Yes!




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    Karen Borca leads Music Of Cecil Taylor at Broolyn College with Orchestra 


    Recordings As a sideman

    • Winged Serpent (Sliding Quadrants)( Soul Note - Records)
    • Music from Two Continents - (Fundacja Sluchaj
    • Cecil Tayklor Unit - Nicaragua Nos Pasaran- Nico Records
    • Matt Lavelle and Morcilla, the Manifestation Drama (2008 - Spiritual Power
    • Harris Simon Group - Swish - (Four Stars- Japan)
    • The Cecil Taylor Unit - Structures 85 76 75 The Broadcast (Fat Albert/Bare Bones)
    • Cecil Taylor - Box Set - (Black Saint/Soul Note)

    Recordings As a Leader - co-leader

    • Bang! from New York City (2007 -Undivided Vision Records) North Country Distribution
    • Now Is Rising -(2005 - Undivided Vision Records) North Country Distribution
    • Sky Readers - (2003 - Undivided Vision Records) North Country Distribution
    • Simple...Ins't It?? (2003 - Undivided Vision Records) North Country Distribution
    • Waking The Living - (2001 - Undivided Vision Records) North Country Distribution

    References

     

     

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