Thursday
Feb 14
2008
Valentine's Day with Amanda Martinez
An intimate concert with one of Canada's best-loved latin jazz vocalists. Join Amanda Martinez for a sultry evening of latin jazz, boleros and bossa nova rhythms that is guaranteed to put you in the mood for amour!
Amanda was recently nominated for a 2008 National Jazz Award as the Latin Jazz Artist of the year and named 2006 Best World Music Artist by the Toronto Independent Music Awards.
Star TV calls Amanda "an enchantress - a passionate, gypsy soul." This is rare opportunity to see this engaging performer in Lula's warm and intimate setting.
Our Valentine's Day dinner package allows you to select any items from Chef Crinson's exotic but subtle, tropical fusion cuisine menu. Cool tropical fruits, fresh Caribbean herbs and an enticing array of homemade salsas and mojos add a contemporary and international flair to traditional South American dishes. While the food is based on traditional ingredients, the presentation is always elegant and playful.
Tickets are available for $25 in advance at Ticketweb.ca. Dinner packages also available.
*About Amanda Martinez*
"She captures the passion of Latin music in a way that is well beyond her years."
CBC Radio.
Born in Canada to a Mexican father and South African mother, Amanda grew up in a house that loved music. "Coming home from school our living room would be filled with the music of Sylvio Rodriguez, Pablo Milanes and Mercedes Sosa. I would spend hours in my bedroom singing along to an imaginary audience". Her most vivid memories were family gatherings in Mexico City, the smell of fresh tortillas and being mesmerized by the guitar of her uncle and cousin.
Although she spent her school years studying classical piano and ballet, Amanda obtained a degree in biology at university. It was only after completing her master´s degree in international business that she made the decision to pursue music professionally.
Her life began a new direction when she walked into a local Toronto jazz club and asked if she could audition. The owner gave her a chance to sing with the house band and she landed her first weekly gig - Martinez Martini Mondays. She started getting referrals through word of mouth and soon had a regular schedule on the jazz scene while working part time as a host on television.
People soon caught on to the woman who was bringing the sound of Latin music to the jazz scene. Two years later, Amanda began hosting and producing Cafe Latino, a Latin jazz radio show on JAZZFM91. She also began working and recording with guitarist Kevin Laliberte.
In 2006, five years after beginning her new career, Amanda launched her first independent release Sola featuring her six piece band of Cuban and Canadian musicians. Word spread and the cd release performance sold out to an over 300 person crowd at Toronto´s Drake Hotel. Six months later, Sola became Toronto´s top selling independent release, selling over 5,000 copies and won Best World Music Artist at Toronto´s independent music Awards.
While maintaining a busy performing schedule, Amanda has also been cast to guest star in various television roles including Gemini nominated Regenesis, Life with Derek, & Train 48. Her latest role lead to a collaboration with director Naomi Jaye who developed her first music video.
After being nominated Latin jazz artist of the year at the 2007 National Jazz Awards, Amanda was invited to record on Juno award winning guitarist Jesse Cook´s album Frontiers. She was also invited to collaborate with the Sultan´s of String, writing the lyrics and melody for the song Contessa on their debut release Luna.