Celebrating the opening of Recuerdo: Latin American Photography at the AGO, the gallery is pleased to host Toronto-based musician Amanda Martinez. World Music Central has hailed her as 'one of the great new voices in Spanish-language Latin music,' and with five critically acclaimed albums—Sola, Amor, Mañana, Libre, and, most serendipitously, her latest release, Recuerdo (2024)—Martinez has captivated audiences worldwide.

Her album Recuerdo, which was produced by her longtime guitarist and co-writer Kevin Laliberté and co-produced by her husband, bassist Drew Birston, is a daring adventure that incorporates elements of world fusion, Cuban rhythms, and an injection of pop, making it her most personal to date. The album is dedicated to the memory of her father, Gustavo, who bicycled from Mexico to Toronto in 1956, and from whom Amanda says she inherited her love of music.

Amanda Martinez has sold out Ottawa’s National Arts Centre, Toronto’s Koerner Hall, and Winter Garden Theatres. She has performed internationally, including at the Dubai International Jazz Festival (with Jesse Cook), the 2010 FIFA World Cup festivities in South Africa, the Pan-American Games in Guadalajara, and New York City’s esteemed Blue Note Jazz Club. A favorite of the world music Putumayo label, she has appeared on six of their collections, including Bossa Nova Around the World, Latin Dreamland, Café Latino, Mexico, and Bossa Nova Amanda. Her undeniable charisma and stage presence make her concerts must-see experiences.

Named Best World Music Artist by the Toronto Independent Music Awards and Composer of the Year by the Latin Awards Canada, as well as receiving multiple nominations at the National Jazz Awards and Canadian Folk Music Awards, Martinez has also composed songs for the 2023 PBS animated preschool children’s comedy Rosie’s Rules, while simultaneously providing the voice of Rosie’s Abuela.

Amanda Martinez performs Nuevos Caminos with special footage from the documentary CICLO. Featuring the bicycle journey of Amanda's father and uncle from Mexico to Canada in 1956 (brothers Gustavo and Arturo Martinez). Directed by Andrea Martinez Crowther.