Amanda hosts and performs in Women of Song & Story

I am excited to be hosting and performing in Women of Song & Story presented by Flato Markham Theatre and Sultans of String this coming October 16th! Grab your tickets and join this line up of women I admire including Kellylee Evans, Tamar Ilana, Yasmin Levy and Mandy Harvey! Watch from the comfort of your home as this is a virtual concert!

Amanda performs at her first live twilight concert

What a thrill to perform in front of real life human beings again! I am so appreciative to my friend Sarah Climenhaga who hosted our first backyard show since lock down which sold out in days. It was a beautiful way to end the summer!

Amanda guest stars on Global’s Private Eyes!

I am very excited to be guest starring on Global’s Private Eyes with Jason Priestly and Cindy Sampson! Please tune in on Monday November 30th at 8pm and you may recognize me playing “Teresa Ramirez”, the Mexican soap opera actress from the Telenovela “Rosa”.

Private Eyes is a hilarious comedy that is in its 4th season and I will be part of episode number 5 called “All is fair in Love and Amor.” along with a fantastic guest cast including Humberly Ramirez, Pamela Archer, Guifre Rafols and Ache Hernandez.

Here is a quick summary of the plot “After a Mexican telenovela is plagued with near-fatal accidents targeting the lead actors, Shade and Angie are pulled headfirst into the melodrama of the soap opera’s revival and uncover a decades-old hug.”

Catch it here on Global TV or later on Netflix!

Amanda launches Libre in the USA with new video featuring Kellylee Evans!

For her 4^th album Libre  Amanda Martinez called on her good friend and Canadian Juno award winning singer Kellylee Evans to collaborate.

“We had been speaking over the years about writing a song together and when I was in the process of creating Libre I called Kellylee to see if she would be interested. The next thing I knew I was on a  train to Ottawa to meet her and make it happen.  I remember chatting for a long time before we got down to coming up with a melody but it all ended up being part of the process as our conversation led to the lyrics. “Libérame” means free me and it speaks about freeing ourselves from fear. Often that fear is self imposed and can often come from how we think others are judging us.” explains Amanda

The two singers met in 2006 at Global Divas, an annual concert in support of St Stephens Community Centre put together by Grammy winning musician  Jane Bunnett and former Executive Director of St Stephens Liane Regendanz.  “We had both just put out our debut albums and were getting to know the musical community in Toronto. I remember being so blown away that Kellylee was doing all she was doing with 3 kids in tow. I never imagined I would be calling her for advice when I became a mom of 3 having had twins 6 years later”

The video was shot all in one day during the pandemic down in Ottawa at Origin Community and Arts Centre, wearing masks between shots.  “I was lucky to have been funded by FACTOR for this video and we had a deadline so everyone came together to make it happen.”

The music was produced by Amanda’s longtime guitarist Kevin Laliberté and features her band- Alexander Brown (trumpet), her husband Drew Birston (bass), Rosendo “Chendy” Leon (percussion) and Osvaldo Rodriguez on violin. The video was produced and directed by Jake Roels and Adrienne McLaren

Says Kellylee “What an absolute dream to work with Amanda on this project. She’s a dynamo! Each step of the process represented growth in some way for me. I learnt so much about creativity, collaboration, perseverance and the strength of the human spirit”

Amanda agrees. “I am proud of this song and grateful for the friendship and experience behind it.” She says she has been inspired by her friend who over the years has overcome so many challenges and faced each one with determination and grace. “ For me the song represents picking yourself up again and not being afraid to reach out to one another for support.”

It’s here! Check out our new video featuring Canada’s Ballet Jörgen!

It is with great excitement that I announce the launch of our new video Estaba Cayendo!  Watch here!

Estaba Cayendo launches for the first time in the USA today with CEN/Sony Orchard who will launch Libre at the end of the month! Please check it out and share!!

I had the gift of working with Canada’s Ballet Jorgen dancers who brought so much life to the music. Adrían Ramírez Juárez and Akari Fujiwara make their debut on screen with me alongside musicians Alexander Brown (trumpet) and Waleed Abdulhamid (bass & percussion) who co-wrote the song with me.  The whole creative team included Emmy award winning choreographer Debra Brown, director Desh Fernando, & cinematographer Owain Parri.

The song was recorded with Waleed and Alex as well as my longtime band members Kevin Laliberté (guitar) Rosendo “Chendy” Leon (percussion) ,Drew Birston (bass) and violinist Osvaldo Rodriguez.  I hope you will check it out and go to my music section to purchase the song.

Estaba Cayendo…new video coming October 2nd!

I am excited to announce that we will be launching a new video for my song Estaba Cayendo on October 2nd!  Stay tuned for details…I have some very special guests featured in this video including two incredible dancers from Canada’s Ballet Jörgen!  I will be introducing the beautiful dancers to you in an upcoming post as well the amazing choreographer who helped me realize my vision. It was a true dream come true to create this music and video and I can hardly wait to see the finished product and share with you! Stay tuned…