Julio Martí
With a medical degree from the University of Valencia, he left his high up job in Health Administration in his community in 1983 to devote himself to a vocational career that led him to become one of most renowned producers in Spain in musical events and shows.
As a promoter of jazz artists was once responsible for bringing jazz to all corners of our geography, some times rescuing inactive major festivals at the moment (Madrid, Barcelona), some times helping create new ones. He has worked with almost all the legends of the genre: Miles Dais, Stan Getz, Bill Evans, Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, Art Blakey, Lionel Hampton, Modern Jazz Quartet, Sonny Rollins, Max Roach Chick Corea, Stéphan Grapelli, McCoy Tyner, Oscar Peterson, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, Dave Brubeck, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Tete Montoliú, Charlie Haden, Elvin Jones, George Benson, Mavis Staples, Cassandra Wilson, Erykah Badhu, Macy Gray, Roberta Flack, and a long excétera. With most of them, like Miles Davis, friendship lasted until the latter’s death in 1991. In the blues tours he promoted B.B. King, Buddy Guy, John Hammond, Blues Brothers Band, John Mayall, Junior Wells and many others.
In Latin music has toured with Celia Cruz, Ruben Blades Tito Puente, Oscar D’Leon, Fania All Stars, Santana, Eddie Palmieri, Willie Colón and later with RLM, Juan Luis Guerra. He has also worked with the Brazilians Joao Gilberto, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Marisa Monte, Milton Nascimento, Egberto Gismonti, Djavan, Carlinhos Brown, and Hermeto Pascoal. He has also introduced in Spain african musicians like Salif Keita, Papa Wemba, and Youssou N’Dour.
Along with Fernando Trueba founded the music label “Lola Records”, winning two Grammys for the recordings “Spain” by Michel Camilo and Tomatito, and “El Arte del Sabor,” by Bebo Valdes, Cachao and Patato. Also in partnership with Trueba is nominated for a Grammy for the soundtrack of the movie “Calle 54″, of which he is the musical producer.
In another area, he has worked with musicians such as Phillip Glass (The Beauty and the Beast) and Michael Nyman, producing the latter’s opera “Facing Goya”, which was represented in more than a dozen cities in Spain. In partnership with Johnny Walker created the Johnny Music Festival, where for nearly a decade, brought together many varied artists of high quality. He has also done tours with groups like Crosby, Stills & Nash, Neil Young, Chicago, James Taylor, Steve Windwood, Prince, Tina Turner, Janet Jackson, and many others in the world of pop rock.
A lover and admirer of flamenco since always, he has been involved in countless occasions of jazz and flamenco fusion; has been manager of Vicente Amigo and has worked on projects involving Chano Domínguez with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Orchestra.
Flamenco Hoy is his most ambitious project and he is at the moment fully committed to present the show and its wonderful artists all over the world.
