Mayte Martín

Mayte Martín is not only a ground-breaking yet faithful exponent of Catalonian cante jondo (flamenco “deep singing”) but a versatile musical explorer. Already a prize-winner by her teens, a series of TV appearances led to an invitation from Peter Gabriel to represent her country at several festivals; he later produced a tune of hers for a CD of his own favorite music. After she won additional competitions, Spanish pop star Miguel Bosé picked her to headline at his “Jovenes Valores del Siglo XXI.” In 1993, she met pianist Tete Montoliu and, after joint concerts throughout Catalonia and Scandinavia, they began recording together. Mayte’s debut album, Muy frágil (1994), was followed by Free Boleros (1996), and Querencia (2000), which was nominated for “Best Flamenco Album” at the 2001 Latin Grammy® Awards and won the Premio de la Crítica in Madrid. Mayte’s fourth album, Tiempo de amar (2003), was devoted to Latin and South American traditions and featured Cuban diva Omara Portuondo, of Buena Vista Social Club fame. She also sang in Manuel de Falla’s El amor brujo under the baton of Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, and forged collaborations with fellow Spaniards Martirio, Kiko Veneno, Javier Colis, Luz Casal, and Belén Maya. She has performed with Portuguese fado diva Dulce Pontes, Canadian poet-singer Leonard Cohen, and classical duo pianists Katia and Marielle Labèque, while embarking upon a series of rapturously received large-scale solo revues.

“Mayte Martín is one of the most prestigious singers on the current flamenco scene. Her voice, tempered and measured, is a prodigy of sweetness that comes to us from the North bearing all of the essences of the songs of the South.”
– El Ideal

“Possessing a unique melodic elegance, she is said to be one of the few flamenco singers, male or female, who has mastered the ability to sing the classical [flamenco] cante jondo without falling into the trap of sterile traditionalism.”
– El Correo Español