User:Krorz/sandbox/Amanda Martinez

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Amanda Martinez (born in Toronto, Ontario) is a Latin pop and Latin Jazz singer and songwriter based in Toronto. She has been nominated three times for Latin Jazz Artist of the Year at Canada's National Jazz Awards and was named in 2014 as one of the Top 10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians.

Early Life
Martinez' mother was born in South Africa and her father in Pachuca Hidalgo, Mexico. Growing up, Amanda's first language was English, but she was also widely exposed to her father's mother tongue- Spanish-- and his eclectic musical taste, including artists like Joan Baez and Los Panchos. Several trips down to visit her paternal family in Mexico cemented her love for her Hispanic heritage and culture.

During her elementary and high-school years, Martinez often starred in school musicals and plays. However, when the time came for her to choose a professional career, she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from the University of Western Ontario. Soon after, she earned a Master's Degree in International Business from York University's Schulich School of Business.

Amanda Martinez new article content ...

Amanda Martinez (born in Toronto, Ontario) is a Latin pop and Latin Jazz singer and songwriter based in Toronto. She has been nominated three times for Latin Jazz Artist of the Year at Canada's National Jazz Awards and was named in 2014 as one of the Top 10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians.

Early Life
Martinez' mother was born in South Africa and her father in Pachuca Hidalgo, Mexico. Growing up, Amanda's first language was English, but she was also widely exposed to her father's mother tongue- Spanish-- and his eclectic musical taste, including artists like Joan Baez and Los Panchos. Several trips down to visit her paternal family in Mexico cemented her love for her Hispanic heritage and culture.

During her elementary and high-school years, Martinez often starred in school musicals and plays. However, when the time came for her to choose a professional career, she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from the University of Western Ontario. Soon after, she earned a Master's Degree in International Business from York University's Schulich School of Business.

Musical Career
While working in downtown Toronto as the Latin America relationship manager for one of Canada's leading banks, she once saw a lunchtime concert at First Canadian Place that changed her career focus forever. "I realized that my heart wasn't into what I was doing" she said.

She left behind her corporate career and began singing at downtown Toronto Jazz club 'Alley Cats' on Monday nights. . However, she says that even though her focus were some well known jazz standards, her audiences were most gripped when she interpreted music in Spanish.

In 2006 she released "Sola", her debut album, which included 'Guajira Sola' (original) and Mexican folk classic 'La Llorona'. Produced by George Seara and bassist George Koller, the CD earner her three consecutive nominations for Latin Jazz Artist of the Year at Canada's National Jazz Awards and Best World Music Album in 2007. In 2008, she traveled with award-winning guitarist Jesse Cook, performing at the International Jazz Festival of Dubai and Dizzy's Club at Jazz in New York. In 2008, FACTOR awarded her the Emerging Artist Award.

2009 brought along her sophomore album, "Amor"-- a collection of songs she wrote while pregnant with her first child. Her tour for 'Amor' saw her play to a sold-out crowd at New York's Blue Note Jazz Club, a full 1,100-seat Koerner Hall and yet another full house, alongside Jesse Cook, at Toronto's Massey Hall.