Mariel Martínez Tango

María Elena "MARIEL" MARTINEZ was born in 1980 in Villa Crespo neighbourhood, Buenos Aires. Settled in Madrid since 2002, she has just edited her first solo album in which she is mainly accompanied by the guitarist ALEJANDRO PICCIANO. The disc titled"DE MI BARRIO" was produced by the prestigious LITTO NEBBIA, for Melopea label in Argentina and Factory Author in Spain. Also participated in it TANCREDO on violin and CARLOS QUILICI on bandoneon. "DE MI BARRIO" was officially launched in December 2008 in the “Clamores” concert hall in Madrid, and also in Paris and Berlin. They are currently on tour across different cities of the Iberian Peninsula presenting their record work.

"...the tango modernizes itself and keeps up with the times thanks to the couple comprised of the singer Mariel Martínez and the guitarist Alejandro Picciano...”
(El País, November 2008)

"Seeking its own personality in something such as difficult as to reinterpret the tango classics, they come off very well, courageously and squandering emotion”.
(Revista Efe Eme, January 2009)

"The “jazzy” Tango, the warmth that renews Buenos Aires music”
(Sí, se puede, December 2008)

"Beautiful journey around Buenos Aires tango”
(El Confidencial, October 2008)

“...suggestive signs of identity distinguish their versions from the originals...”
(Aragón Música, January 2009)

"...a “tango” proposal that transcends genre imposed restrictions...”
(El Comercio Digital, January 2009)

"...almost naked: just the splendid voice of Mariel Martínez accompanied by the guitar of Alejandro Picciano, steeped in jazzy echoes. The violin and the bandoneon accompanied a few songs, and there is no need for much more in order to enjoy this highly recommended record.”
(Revista Efe Eme, December 2008)

"This passionate duo goes deep into Buenos Aires most classic roots, with songs such as «Melodía de arrabal», «Tinta roja», «Como dos extraños», «Malena», «Oro y plata», «Soledad» o «Vuelvo al Sur» that sound as discovery. Jazzy echoes and imaginable walks around other styles – folklore or rock music that these musicians have gone through- they reinforce themselves without refill and with natural nostalgia with an electric violin and a bandoneon, keeping the touch of the exquisite improvisation”
(La nueva España, January 2009)

HISTORY
She started her singing studies at the Music Conservatory 'SADEM' (Argentine Trade Union of Musicians). At the same time, she started the instrumentist career in tango guitar at the Popular School of Music of Avellaneda, where she studied until her arrival in Spain. During those years she studied guitar technique in charge of the maestro 'Chocho' Ruiz and also consolidated her study and interpretation of tango taking particular lessons with the singer Patricia Andrade. In Buenos Aires she formed a tango duo and sang as a soloist in a quartet of Argentine folklore. Since their residency in Madrid, Mariel Martínez and Alejandro Picciano have been developing what it is finally comprised in their first album called “De mi Barrio”, recorded in 2008, produced by Litto Nebbia and published by Discos Melopea / Factory Author in October 2008. They mainly tackle the Tango Song genre, although there are grate accents that distinguish their versions from the original ones: a “jazzy” guitar, an electric violin and the so personal performance which is created by the sum of musicians from different genres.
They also participate together with the theatrical group Primigenius in 'Cuentos, tangos y tongos...así se llama la milonga' (stories, tangos and tongos...that is the name of the milonga) and in the children’s show 'Canticuentos' (Singstories)

Outstanding musical works in Spain:

-Galileo Galilei hall, record release of “Malabares” together with La Herejia group.
-Clamores hall, together with the Tango Mistongo Trio.
-Cafe Concert “Casa Pueblo”, as a tango soloist, together with the guitarist Alejandro Picciano.
-Book Fair: Children’s show “Canti Cuentos”, together with the theatrical group “Primigenius”.
-Casa de Américas: Show “Tangos, cuentos y tongos, así se llama la milonga” (Tangos, stories and tongos, that is the name of the milonga)
-National Conservatory of Music of Getafe, as a tango soloist, together with the guitarist Alejandro Picciano and the bandoneonist Carlos Quilici.
- Festival “Dances without borders” 2007 and 2008
-La Cueva del Bolero (Bolero’s cave)
-Record release of “De mi barrio” in different halls of Paris, Berlin, Salamanca, Vigo and Madrid.
-Performances in different media, such as Cadena Ser, RNE, Radio Tentación, Punto Radio, El Confidencial, Sí se puede, EFE, Diario Metro, Diario ADN, etc.