Mario Martin Zelaya

Mario performs his particular style of solo acoustic rock throughout Southern California, be it at art festivals, wine shops, restaurants, or farmers markets. He also plays out-of-state, as at Marathon de Mayo in Nevada, and out-of-country, as at the Zihuatenejo International Guitar Festival in Mexico.

“For me,” he says, “Pete Townshend's performance at Amnesty International's Secret Policeman's Ball is the model to aspire to - magical songwriting mixed with no-holds barred solo acoustic playing.” He also finds inspiration in the quirky guitar imaginings of Adrian Belew (particularly his rare acoustic work), the bossa nova tradition in general, and the sheer poetry - musically and lyrically - of the masterful Silvio Rodriguez. Rich, percussive chordwork, strong melody lines and lyrical imagery - that's his gig. The San Luis Obispo New Times once described his music as "lively folk rock!"

He is currently recording a third CD recording in Los Angeles.