Martin's Biography
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The
instruments I create and perform on have come to me from my ancestors
in Ancient Mexico as well as from other parts of Ancient North, Central
and South America. I have researched these instruments and their
ancient/present day musical practices for over 25 years. Since then, I
have met and performed with many indigenous musicians from Mexico, the
Ecuadorian Rain Forest, Peru and celebrity artists from Bolivia and other
places. I have been performing, teaching, recording and touring for the
last 35 years. I believe in "education, peace, respect of the earth and
in knowing one's self/ancestry", which are some of the many topics I cover
at all presentations!
The music I perform comes from several sources: Traditional/Indigenous
Music acquired from close relationships with indigenous musicians,
archival documents both recent and tum-of-the-century writings and recordings,
which I transcribe into musical notation and present day written sources.
Composed Music
(based on my years of research/my encounters/performance); and Ambient
Improvisations
based on research of musical structures.
Tbe sounds of the ancestors are in me because I am Mexicano of Indigenous
Yaqui and Tepehuano ancestry. All my grandparents came from the states
of Durango, Sonora and Coahuila. I began music at age 11, and eventually
became a very well rounded musician, in that I was first, "street trained"(playing
by ear), then "classically trained" and finally, "folklore/indigena trained"!
I earned from Immaculate Heart College in Hollywood, CA, a "Bachelor
of Music Degree with Honors in Performance"(1978) in Classical Guitar
and research/performance on instruments of the Medieval and Renaissance
eras. I have been teaching adults and children since age 13. As the composer/artistic
director of NAHUALLI ENSEMBLE, I have received many awards from ASCAP
and Meet The Composer/CA for "New Traditional Works". Besides solo works,
I have also composed for theater, video and t.v. commercial as well as
for such artist ensembles as Amy Knoles, California E.A.R. Unit, Southwest
Chamber Ensemble and No Mambo.
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Mis Abuelos-My Grandparents
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Grandpa Nicho Alvarado (Coahuila, Mexico) - Yaqui, Grandma Elvira (Sonora Mexico), and Socorro (mi mama).
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| Mis Abuelos-My Grandparents | ||
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Grandpa Victor Espino (Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico) -Tepehuano Grandma Maria Adame (Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico)-Tepehuano Isidoro Espino (mi papa) |