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John Martinez - Guitarist Extrordinaire
- Albuquerque, NM
- Singing Guitarist
- Travels nationwide
- $200 to $500
Overview
Degreed Classical Guitarist, Contemporary Acoustic Guitarist Vocalist, University of New Mexico Classical Guitar Performance Graduate 1986, Guitar Institute of Technology(GIT) Graduate 1987 Performances include the Tennessee Inaugural Ball in 1998 for Bill Clinton's second inauguration plus TV, radio, studio, night clubs, hotels, private parties, weddings & receptions, arts & crafts fairs, art gallery openings, corporate functions, etc, etc. My solo guitar and vocal performance includes contemporary acoustic guitar, core classical guitar from Renaissance & Baroque to Spanish romantic, to Jazz & Jazz Fusion, Flamenco Style, Contemporary Country, Romantic Spanish plus Excellent Vocals.
11 Reviews
John was very easy to get ahold of to coordinate for our event and very fairly priced. We enjoyed having him at our event and his ability to be flexible as we had to change locations due to weather. I would highly recommend John at your next corporate event!
Singing Guitarist
John was wonderful ! Wide range of music, very entertaining, great guitarist and just a overall good guy. I highly recommend for your event.
Singing Guitarist
Response from John Martinez - Guitarist Extrordinaire:
Hey Carlos thank you very much for the great review I had a great time for your wife's birthday party wish her a happy birthday again for me okay? Hopefully I get to see you sometime down the road, think about me for a Christmas party. By the way I picked up three November dates at Bishop's Lodge I'll be posting them on my The Bash website pretty quick. That is where my up-to-date calendar. Thanks again!
We had John play at our daughter’s wedding. He learned two special songs for the ceremony and they were beautiful. His background guitar playing struck just the right mood for a backyard daytime wedding. Thank you, John.
Classical Guitarist, Folk Singer
John provided music (guitar and singing) for our son's rehearsal dinner in Santa Fe as well as the pre-party and the post-party...he far exceeded our expectations! We did not provide a play list and chose to let him pick what he wanted to sing/play...great selections, every genre, new and old. He sounded great and it felt more like a concert! Still can't believe there was only one of him! Also, we liked him...very personable! 5 stars for our "friend" John!
Singing Guitarist
Response from John Martinez - Guitarist Extrordinaire:
Hey Bill this is John Martinez now that is an awesome review. When I asked for a Stellar review I think you outdid yourself and I am so incredibly appreciative. That was a fun gig had some logistical issues but it was still a great gig. It was really a pleasure to meet you and your family and I really am so happy that you enjoyed the music I hope we'll get to see each other some other time. Once again thanks for the awesome gig and give my best to Martha, too. Sincerely, John Martinez
John is a wonderfully talented musician. We especially love the Spanish guitar and how sings in Spanish. We have him every month, or at least every other month. You really should have him at your next event, it will make it even more memorable!
Singing Guitarist, Classical Guitarist, Folk Singer, Guitarist
We were all set for John, but contacted him 5 days before the event to advise that Covid moved through our family - so we had to cancel. Plan is to reschedule though, as John was a delight to work with during the planning phase.
Tried to not do a 'star rating' since the event didn't occur - but that wasn't an option so selected the middle as being N/A.
Guitarist
Response from John Martinez - Guitarist Extrordinaire:
Hey there Phil and Cassandra how you guys feeling? Thank you for the nice commentary I hope we're going to get a chance to get this gig going I'm sorry you guys got sick. Let me know when the reschedule date is and get well!!! Sincerely John Martinez
John was great! He knew the crowd and the event, and knew exactly what to play! Great to work with as well, very responsive and communicative. Would hire him again in a heartbeat!
Classical Guitarist, Guitarist
Response from John Martinez - Guitarist Extrordinaire:
Hey Michael that's an awesome review I really appreciate that. Hope you guys had fun in Durango hope to see you again someday and good luck to you guys. Thanks for the awesome review.
John did a wonderful job.
Guitarist
Response from John Martinez - Guitarist Extrordinaire:
Hey Todd thanks for the great review I really enjoyed the gig. I hope to hear from you for the repeat gig next year. Have a great holiday season!!!! John Martinez
We held a Birthday Celebration for my mom, and John was a wonderful addition to our celebration.
From the moment that I submitted a request for a quote for our celebration, until the end of our celebration, John was very responsive, friendly, easy to work with, and the music he played was beautiful. At our celebration, we would be hosting a multi-generation crowd, and I wanted to choose songs that everyone could identify with. I found a list of songs on another website that John knew, so I highlighted the songs that I would prefer for him to play, and It worked out perfectly. Many of our guests commented to me that they were really enjoying the music. If we ever have another event, I would certainly hire John again, and I would highly recommend for others to consider hiring the, "Guitarist Extrordinaire," for your next event.
Classical Guitarist, Guitarist, Singer/Songwriter, Singing Guitarist
Response from John Martinez - Guitarist Extrordinaire:
Well this is an awesome review thank you so much money you're so sweet. As I mentioned I really enjoyed playing for your family everybody was very very gracious to me and I'm really happy that they enjoyed the music. Hope I get a chance to see you guys again thanks again for the awesome review sincerely John Martinez
John joined our organization, WESST, for a fundraising event at Casa Esencia on 10/1/21. First and foremost his music is absolutely beautiful! I could have listened to an entire concert of his guitar playing and singing. He was so flexible when the weather wasn't cooperative and moved locations within the venue during the event. All of our guests talked about how beautiful his playing was and how much they enjoyed his music!
Singing Guitarist
Response from John Martinez - Guitarist Extrordinaire:
Hey there Katie this is John Martinez thank you so much for that incredible review you're so sweet. I'm starting to wonder if it's going to be a great gig or just a okay gig turned out to be great so that was a lot of fun. Thanks for allowing me to move indoors and made a huge difference for me and hopefully for everybody else as well. Hope we'll get to see each other someday soon and I just can't tell you how much I appreciate the great review Sincerely, John Martinez
I received several comments from attendees that they were very please with John's playing - the most important positive feedback came from the groom. In my recording studio, I have had many guitarists come through and John ranks in the top tier. Thank you John for helping to make my only child/daughter's wedding an over-the-top success. The four Berklee School of Music grads (Damn Tall Buildings) I brought in from NYC were also impressed with John's work.
Classical Guitarist
Response from John Martinez - Guitarist Extrordinaire:
Good Morning Thomas
Wow you didn't waste any time posting an amazing review and I surely want to thank you for that!!!! You know that was one fantastic wedding event and I am and was honored to be your chosen guitarist. Your daughter and new son in law were super nice to me and I really received lots of compliments from so many of your guests. I am also really appreciative of your commentary given your unique experience with quality players. I was a little nervous that I might not live up to your expectations. Thanks again and it was truly a pleasure playing for your group. Sincerely, John P . Martinez
Booking Info
Price Range: $200 to $500
What to Expect
Your 1st lesson needs to be 1 hour and then each weekly lesson would be a 1/2 hour. I do have some 1 hour per week students. If you are a beginner then you will need to buy an instruction book called How to Play Guitar Phase 1 by Ernie Ball which you can buy at Music Mart on Carlisle NE or Baum's Music on Eubank NE. It's about $10. If you have young children I would like the parents to be in the room during lessons and with the child during daily practice until the child gets used to the guitar and used to the concept of practice. This might take a couple of months. More advanced students will work on projects which could be songs, guitar solos, guitar technique, scales, arpeggios, etc. Classical guitar students will work a lot on technique exercises, short studies, warm up exercises and actual music pieces. I also play lots of other music from Rock to Blues to Jazz to Country to Spanish so whatever you taste or ability I am sure that I can make you a better player.
PROMO: If you stay with lessons for 3 months I will give you one 1/2 hour lesson free.
Past Booked Events
May 08, 2024 • 6:00pm - 8:30pm | Corporate Event |
October 22, 2023 • 5:00pm - 8:30pm | Cocktail Party |
September 23, 2023 • 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Cultural Event |
April 22, 2023 • 6:00pm - 8:30pm | Dinner Party |
April 20, 2023 • 6:00pm - 8:30pm | Corporate Event |
August 31, 2019 • 4:30pm - 7:30pm | Wedding Reception |
Set List
Fields of Gold | Sting
Neon Moon | Brookes & Dunn
Sweet Home Alabama | Lynyrd Skynyrd
Shady Grove | Traditional Bluegrass
Star of the County Down | Traditional Irish
Carolina On My Mind | James Taylor
If You Could Read My Mind | Gordon Lightfoot
La Bamba | Richie Valens
Get Together | The Youngbloods
Sailing | Christopher Cross
The Dance | Garth Brookes
I Choose You | Sara Barielles
It Doesn't Matter | Firefall
Smooth Operator | Sade
Ida Y Vuelta | Strunz & Farah
500 Miles High | Chick Corea
Anochecer- Flamenco Style | Strunz & Farah
Arlington | Wailin Jennys
Besa Me Mucho | Spanish Ballad
Black Orpheus | Latin Jazz
Blackbird | Beatles
Blue Bossa | Latin Jazz Standard
Bouree | JS Bach
Bubble Shuffle | Larry Carlton
Can't Find My Way Home | Blind Faith
Candle in the Wind | Elton John
Capricio Arabe | Spanish Classical
Carnival | Natalie Merchant
Chesnuts Roasting on Open Fire | Jazz Version Christmas
Cinderella | Firefall
Classical Gas | Mason Williams
Danny's Song | Kenny Loggins
Desperado | Eagles
Down By The Water | Decembrists
Central Park | John P. Martinez
Dust in the Wind | Kansas
Eight Days A Week | Beatles
Eleanor Rigby | Beatles
Eres Tu | Spanish Ballad
Estudio 1 | Fernando Sor
Estudio 5 | Fernando Sor
Estudio 13 | Fernanado Sor
You May be Right | Billy Joel
Everly Brothers Medley | Everly Brothers
Everything I Do I Do For You | Bryan Adams
Fire & Rain | James Taylor
Fly Me To The Moon | Frank Sinatra
Follow Me | John Denver
From the Beginning | Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Girl | Beatles
Girl From Ipanema | Sergio Mendez
God Bless the Broken Road | Rascall Flatts
Greensleeves 16th Century Version | Renaissance Classical
Helplessly Hoping | Crosby,Stills & Nash
Here Comes the Sun | Beatles
Here, There & Everywhere- Classical Arrangement | Beatles Classical Guitar
Honey Suckle Rose | John Martinez- Funk Blues
Hotel California | Eagles
I Love You Just the Way You Are | Billy Joel
I Want a Love That Will Last | Renee Olsted- Jazz Blues
I Won't Give Up | Jason Mraz
If Today Was Your Last Day | Nickleback
In My Life | Beatles
Jesu Joy of Mans Desiring | JS Bach
Guantanamera | Spanish Traditional
Lady | Kenny Rogers
Lady Hammonds Alman | Rennaisance
Lady Hunsdon's Alman-Renaissance | John Dowland
Making Memories of Us | Kieth Urban
Malaguena | Spanish Classical
Mary Did You Know | Christmas Ballad
Mexico | James Taylor
Mi Amor Flamenco Style | Armik
Michelle -classical arrangement | Beatles
Moliendo Cafe | Traditional Spanish Reggae
Mood for a Day | Steve Howe-YES
Morning at Molas-acoustic | John P. Martinez
Mrs. Robinson | Simon & Garfunkel
Mystic Mile- Blues | Robin Ford
Norwegian Wood | Beatles
Nowhere Man - Acoustic Arrangement | Beatles
Ohio | Neil Young
On an Island With You | Dan Gilbert-Jazz Fusion
Oye Como Va | Santana
Pachebel's Canon | Johann Pachebel
Paraguean Waltz #3 | Augustin Barrios
Perhaps Love | John Denver
Preludio in Emi | JS Bach
Renee My Love- acoustic finger style | John P. Martinez
Requerdos de la Alhambra | Spanish Classical
Rocky Racoon | Beatles
Romanza | Tradional Classical
Sabor a Mi | Spanish Ballad
Santa Fe Sun - original flamenco | John P. Martinez
Scarborough Fair | Simon & Garfunkel
Six Pieces of the Rennaisance | Classical Suite Good Wedding Music
Somebody That I Used to Know | Gotye
Something | Beatles
Something in the Way She Moves | James Taylor
Southern Cross | CSN
Stairway To Heaven | Led Zepplin
Stormy Monday- Blues | Allman Brothers
Story in Your Eyes | Moody Blues
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes | Crosby,Stills & Nash
Night in White Satin | Moody Blues
Sweet Baby James | James Taylor
Tears in Heaven | Eric Clapton
Tequila Sunrise | Eagles
The Bonnie Swans | Celtic
The Look of Love | Sergio Mendez- Latin Jazz
The Way You Look Tonight | Frank Sinatra
Thick As A Brick | Jethro Tull
This Masquerade | George Benson- Jazz Ballad
Thunder Rolls | Garth Brookes
Time in a Bottle | Jim Croce
Tribute to Mahavishnu | john Martinez - Open Acoustic
Tuesday Afternoon | Moody Blues
Venuzuelan Waltz #1 | Antonio Lauros
Venzuelan Waltz#4 | Antonio Lauros
We Can Work it Out | Beatles
You and Me | Dave Matthews
While My Guitar Gently Weeps | Beatles
White Christmas | Jazz Chord Melody
Wind of Change | Acoustic Alchemy
Wish You Were Here | Pink Floyd
Wooden Ships | Crosby,Stills & Nash
Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald | Gordon Lightfoot
Yesterday-classical jazz style | Beatles
You Say It Best | Allison Krause Country Ballad
Influences & Inspiration
I have playing guitar since I was 1 yrs. old. I the beginning it was all about " Secret Agent Man" which I pretty much played constantly then it was all about the Ventures and surfer music but "Walk Don't Run" and "Penetration" were my tunes and I played them constantly. Eventually I discovered The Beatles then any cool guitar band around from Jethro Tull to the Allman Brothers and even better Al Dimeola, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, The Dixie Dregs, Chick Corea and every intense guitar music I could find. I didn't start studying Classical Guitar until my mid 20's and finally received my Classical Guitar Performance Degree from University of New Mexico in 1986. I decided to join the 20th century again to study contemporary guitar, mainly Jazz stuff, in Hollywood and graduated from Musician' Institute's Guitar Institute of Technology in 1987 and I have been gigging as a solo and teaching guitar ever since then. Currently, I am Lead Guitarist with a wonderful 5 piece dance band called " Luna Upfront" featuring Pat Reyes on lead vocals plus great keyboards, percussion and bass. I also have a working male/female guitar and vocal duo called Chile Pi featuring Mrs. Sweet Voice Susan McCasland and we recently recorded a new CD. If you need a great band band for your event just let me know or consider Chile Pi.