Aurelio

Self-taught musician Aurelio Martinez, devoted to safeguarding the endangered Latin Paranda tradition, shaped a multicultural style that rose above his modest beginnings in Honduras. Hailing from the small seaside village of Plapaya where he spent his early years, Aurelio absorbed music constantly, picking up singing from a mother blessed with vocal talent and a father known as a troubadour, while also constructing a guitar from a fishing rod during childhood and joining Garifuna ceremonies throughout his teenage period. While still a student he performed professionally alongside assorted Latin ensembles, later assembling his own Garifuna outfit Lita Ariran and establishing himself as a steady presence in the La Cieba music community. Following an encounter with Stonetree Records producer Ivan Duran, Martinez added vocals to a Paranda compilation before issuing his debut album Garifuna Soul in 2004, which earned global critical praise. The following year he stepped away from music to serve as the first Black representative in the Honduran National Congress. Motivated by the passing of close friend Andy Palacio, whose early support had launched his trajectory, Martinez resurfaced in 2011 with the album Laru Beya.