Martín Meléndez (Cuba)

Cello Solo

[date]

One of the most versatile and creative cellists of his generation, Martin Melendez, was born into Cuban parents in Moscow in 1982. He began studying cello at an early age at the Conservatorio Amadeo Roldan and, later, at the Instituto Superior de Arte in La Havana, Cuba. He was trained as a classical cellist, but from an early age, he demonstrated an outstanding talent for improvising, developing a unique style, taking the cello towards a new language influenced by Jazz, Cuban Music, funky, African music, and Flamenco. Due to his versatility, he has participated in hundreds of recordings of internationally renowned artists and toured worldwide with artists like Pablo Milanés, Chano Dominguez, Cassey Driesen, Macaco, Dorantes, Renuad Garcia-Fons, Yusa, Descemer Bueno, Antonio Rey, Kiko Veneno, Ernesto Aurignac, Reynald Colom, Kinan Azmeh (Silk Road), etc. Martin has performed in such distinct environments as movie soundtracks, fashion shows, contemporary dance events, etc. He currently resides in Barcelona, where he founded the Martin Melendez Power Trio, a unique Latin jazz ensemble that launched its first CD in 2020. He is also a member of the Marco Mezquida Trio. Martin has performed and presented master classes and workshops at important venues in Europe, Australia, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Repertoire:

Moisés Simón Rodríguez, El manicero 1889-1945

Ernesto Lecuona, La comparsa, 1895-1963

Eliseo Grenet, Drume negrita 1893 -1950

Pablo Milanés, Para vivir, 1943

Miguel Matamoros, Lágrimas negras, 1894 – 1971

Manuel Corona, Longina, 1880-1950

Isolina Carrillo, Dos gardenias 1907 – 1996

Gonzalo Roig, Quiéreme mucho, 1890-1970

Martín Meléndez, Improvisación cubana para cello solo