Aurelio Martinez is Back! Live Album and Concert in Works
World famous Parandero, Aurelio Martinez, is back in Belize to celebrate thirty years of Garifuna music with the launch of a new album. Darandi, or thirty in Garifuna, is a collection of a dozen songs that are either composed by Aurelio or performed by him, and includes a cover of Paul Nabor’s classic, Naguya Nei. To commemorate the milestone, Aurelio is returning to the stage at the Bliss for one night only. On Friday, the legendary artist will present a thirty-track playlist that spans his musical career. Accompanied by renowned producer Ivan Duran, the Honduran born artist called an informal press conference this morning where Darandi was unveiled to the Belizean public. According to Aurelio, he drew from all his musical influences in the composition of this album. The music, says Duran, is universal in its appeal.
Ivan Duran
Ivan Duran, Producer, Stone Tree Records
“This sound belongs to a group of dedicated people, both in the studio and on the stage who have committed their lives and they feel a pride for each note and each sound and each effect and each image that it’s indescribable. He is there and I really commend him because he is the most professional Garifuna artist I have ever had the privilege to work with. He is the most complete, and again, if he were to stop making music tomorrow he would still be one of the greatest and it’s because at the human level what Aurelio represents it’s something that doesn’t happen very often.”
[Musical interlude – video of studio session]
Aurelio Martinez
Aurelio Martinez, Parandero
“This album is not just about me, you know, it’s about our ancestors and our future. Our children, not just about me. I want to see Lloyd together with Supa G and the entire crew and the younger artists I see in Gulisi yesterday trying to do abeimahani, oumahani, you know. I see Paul Nabor in this child. I see my grandma in these beautiful babies doing something in our tradition, you know, wearing Garifuna clothes. So I’m happy to be here. Andy Palacio is gone.”
Isani Cayetano
“Talk to us a bit about the album and your choice of songs. I know there are twelve songs on this CD. What does each one of them mean to you or what is the most significant song to you on this album?”
Aurelio Martinez
“Locally it’s Dugu. It’s a tribute to my good friend who passed away. My first friend from Belize, Andy Palacio. And the other one, Naguya Nei, because Paul Nabor, for me is grandpa, my dad. And then Naguya Nei is very easy for people around the world to repeat… In Japan, in UK, a few days ago in Australia I make people sing the song easily, you know. People start to sing with me everywhere.”
[Montage – Aurelio in concert]
Ivan Duran
“This album was recorded in the UK, was recorded in Benque Viejo. Additional tracks were mixed between Benque Viejo and Dangriga by Al Obando. Alejandro Colindas who’s from Mexico City, who co-produced the album. This is from everywhere and music has no borders, like Yalifu, the pelican song that Aurelio wrote, you know. Music has no borders and people have no borders. Feelings have no borders. And if we make music that touches you, that’s all we care [about].”
Aurelio Martinez and Ivan Duran will be special guests on Open Your Eyes on Friday morning and will be accompanied by members of the Garifuna Collective and members from his band in Honduras. So be sure to tune in.
