Garifuna Singer Songwriter Aurelio Martinez is named a 2022 Mellon Fellow at New York University

As a 2022 Mellon Fellow, Mr. Martinez will be granted a stipend to teach Garifuna Music during 2022.

.

Garifuna Singer Songwriter, Aurelio Martinez, Playing Guitar. Medium.
Singer-Songwriter of Honduran Garifuna Heritage, Mr. Aurelio Martinez. Photo by Jaime Marin

.

Copyright 2022 by Teofilo Colon Jr. (a.k.a. “Tio Teo” or T.O. Tayo) for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved. Contact Tio Teo.

.

Manhattan, New York City — The Hemispheric Institute of Performance and Politics at New York University has announced that Garifuna Singer-Songwriter Musician from Honduras, Mr. Aurelio Martinez, has been named a 2022 Mellon Fellow at New York University.

.

Mr. Martinez’s Fellowship is part of The World Making and Social Emergency Art, Culture, and Social Justice Initiative at the Hemispheric Institute at New York University. It is also in conjunction with the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at New York University.

.

This Initiative is funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation at the Hemispheric Institute of New York University.

.

On their website, The Hemispheric Institute states that as part of it’s, “World Making Emergency of the Hemispheric Institute,” distinguished researchers, artists, journalists, and activists develop their work and participate in their programs as Mellon Fellows:

  1. Artists In Residence
  2. Visiting Scholars
  3. Journalists in Residence

.

The Hemispheric Institute adds, “These accomplished thinkers and makers create art, conduct research, strengthen activism, and chronicle the hemisphere. Their work engages hemispheric communities, scholars, and learners, and we are honored to support them.”

.

Other 2022 Mellon Fellows include:

  1. Gertrudis Rivalta Oliva – Cuban multi-disciplinary Artist (Drawing, Sculpture, Painting, Photography, Video and Performance.
  2. Rosa Marquetti Torres – Cuban Author, Blog Editor, Music Executive and Researcher.
  3. Karen Jaime – Professor, Scholar, Researcher, Writer, Spoken Word Performance Artist,
  4. Ralph Thomassaint – Haitian Multimedia Journalist and Digital Content Producer.

.

In the world of academia and education, a fellow is a student in a American College or University who has been awarded a stipend for a year or more to further pursue their chosen field of study.

.

The word fellowship in education generally refers to scholarships for students pursuing additional education.

.

About Aurelio Martinez

.

Garifuna Singer Songwriter Musician Aurelio Martinez with Garifuna Drum. Photographer Unknown

.

(text from the Hemispheric Institute website with minor revisions): Aurelio Martinez is a renowned Singer/Songwriter, Guitarist and Percussionist, and one of the great musical artists of Central America. He is a master composer and global ambassador of Garfuna Music and Cultural Patrimony.

.

From Plaplaya, Honduras; and born into a family with a formidable musical legacy, Martinez is known for his potent and evocative voice and original compositions.

.

Garifuna Singer Songwriter Musician Aurelio Martinez with Guitar.

.

Martinez is known for potent and evocative voice and original compositions, which are a modern expression of Garifuna tradition.

.

Martinez is an international musical force who has received numerous prizes and performed across the world sharing and teaching Garifuna culture.

.

Garifuna Singer Songwriter Musician Aurelio Martinez with Former Rapper, Belize Ambassador of Music as well as member of Belize House of Representatives, Shyne Barrow. Photographer Unknown.

.

In addition to his career as a performing and recording artist, Martinez became the first Garifuna and the first Black representative in the Honduran Congress, which he advocated for the rights and cultural sovereignty of his community.

.

R&B Singer from the United Kingdom, Joss Stone, unidentified woman and Garifuna Singer Songwriter Musician, Aurelio Martinez during her Total World Tour in 2016. Photographer Unknown.

.

Aurelio Martinez Discography

Aurelio Martinez has released a number of music albums under the auspices of StoneTree Records in Belize and other record labels in Honduras. His albums include:

Darandi – 2017

Landini – 2014

Laru Beya – 2011

Garifuna Soul – 2004

Lita Ariran – Songs of The Garifuna – 1994

.

(With Los Bravos del Caribe)

Amor a Primera Vista – 2003

Inocencia – Year Unknown

Cuentos y Leyendas – Year Unknown

200+10 – Year Unknown

Conexion Caribe – 2014

.

.

.

.

.

One thought on “Garifuna Singer Songwriter Aurelio Martinez is named a 2022 Mellon Fellow at New York University

Comments are closed.