Amanda Martinez is a singer-songwriter and actress known for blending her Mexican and South African heritage into a unique Latin music style. Acclaimed by World Music Central as "one of the great new voices in Spanish language Latin music," she has captivated audiences worldwide with her five albums. Accompanied by her band of 20 years, Martinez has performed at major venues like Toronto’s Koerner Hall and the Dubai International Jazz Festival. Her music has been featured on six Putumayo collections, and she has earned multiple awards, including Toronto Independent Music Awards' Best World Music Artist and Latin Award Canada's Composer of the Year. Martinez also composes for PBS's Rosie's Rules, where she voices Rosie’s Abuela. She lives in Toronto with her family and holds a Master’s in International Business from York University. She has appeared in over 35 roles in film and television.
Featured Songs:
Composer Luis Bonfá and lyricist Antônio Maria wrote the iconic love song “Manhã de Carnaval” (Carnival Morning) for the 1959 Oscar-winning film Black Orpheus. It was one of the first bossa nova songs to become popular outside of Brazil. “Morning, such a beautiful morning / In life, a new song /Singing only your eyes, your laughter, your hands.”
“Mi Libertad” (My Freedom), a song about finding inner freedom, healing, and clarity by embracing one's true self and letting go of external constraints, appears on Amanda Martinez’s most recent album Recuerdo (2024). “Breathe / Listen to your soul / The sound of the rain / And allow the calm / Forget all the rules / The duties and the biases / Step by step / Your path becomes clear.”
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