José Martínez León, (8 September 1922 – 1984) better known as Pepe Martínez, was a Spanish

flamenco Flamenco () is an art form based on the various folkloric music traditions of southern Spain, developed within the Gitanos, gitano subculture of the region of Andalusia, and also having historical presence in Extremadura and Region of Murcia, ...

guitarist born into a musical family, in the Seville quarter of Macarena. His mother, Isabel, was famous for her singing of religiously inspired Saetas, a vocal style which has since been incorporated into the flamenco palo.

Career

Martínez was a virtuoso exponent of 'Flamenco Lírico', a style of playing which emphasises the melodic as well as rhythmic elements of flamenco. His musical style reflected his warm personality. His playing, even more than many other flamenco guitarists of the time, was strongly influenced by that of his mentor, Ramón Montoya. Martínez initially excelled in accompanying the ''cante'' and ''baile'' before developing a solo concert career. As an accompanist he played with such artists as Pepe Marchena, Niña de los Peines, Pepe Pinto, Juanito Valderrama, Niña de la Puebla, Niña de Antequera, Pepe Aznalcollar, Pepe Guillena, Niño de la Huerta amongst others. Martínez was cited by Carlos Montoya, in the ''New York Guitar Review'', as being one of the very finest flamenco guitarists of his generation along with Manolo de Huelva, Sabicas, Mario Escudero and Niño Ricardo. Martínez made many recordings throughout his career, in Spain, France and the UK, on Columbia, Belter, Discophone, HMV, Odeon, Hispavox, Decca, Odean, Guilde Internationale du Disque and Discophon. The BBC made a documentary about his life called ''My Friend Pepe Martinez'' (1970)Broadcasting. ''

The Times ''The Times'' is a British Newspaper#Daily, daily Newspaper#National, national newspaper based in London. It began in 1785 under the title ''The Daily Universal Register'', adopting its modern name on 1 January 1788. ''The Times'' and its si ...

'' (579880) p. 15 (5 October 1970) which was part of a series of programs about the spirit of Spain. Pepe also featured, along with Andrés Segovia, in a French television film titled ''Sortileges du Flamenco''. During his career, Martínez played guitars by Arcángel Fernández, Marcelo Barbero and Manuel Reyes. It was Martínez who introduced the young Manuel Reyes to the workshop of Marcelo Barbero. His pupil, Malcolm Weller, of the Spanish Guitar Centre, owns his Barbero guitar.

Partial discography

LPs

* The Lyrical Guitar of Pepe Martinez (Fontana TL 5207) – UK 1964 * Pepe Martinez – (eponymous album) (Decca C 7811) – Spain 1973 * In Old Seville *Alegrias Flamencas – Pepe Martinez and Los Flamencos. (Concert Hall Synchro Stereo SMS 2456)

CDs

* Arte Flamenco, Vol. 8 * Vintage Flamenco Guitarra Nº 3 * Vintage Flamenco Guitarra Nº 4 * Vintage Flamenco Guitarra Nº 9 * The Spanish Guitar

References

Pepe Martínez
elartedevivirelflamenco.com {{DEFAULTSORT:Martinez, Pepe 1922 births 1984 deaths Musicians from Seville Spanish flamenco guitarists Spanish male guitarists 20th-century Spanish guitarists 20th-century Spanish male musicians