Group:
Jonny Martinez,
vocals.
Arturo Guillermo,
keyboards.
background vocals.
Victor Hernandez Jr.,
accordion.
Edgar Miranda,
guitar.
Jesse Saldivar,
bass.
Russet Hernandez,
drums.
Influences:
Anselmo "Chemiro"
Martinez.
Aniceto Molina.
Cornelio Reyna.
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The dancefioor is the only place to be when Jonny Martinez
y Grupo Bravo start jamming. For their latest CD La Callejera,
released February 2003, the group unveils six uptempo cumbias, all
written or co-written by Jonny. They’ve got a touch of vallenato, a
touch of conjunto, and loads of ritmo y sabor.
First single “Esa Morenita” gets the groove going with
vallenato beats and a frenetic accordion solo. The track is already top 3
at several West Texas stations.
Released on AMI Records, La Callejera also contains 4
rancheras, a bolero and a polka. On rancheras such as Valerio
Longoria’s “Ojitos Verdes” and Cornelio Reyna’s “Ni Los Pleitos,”
Jonny returned to his conjunto roots and achieved his most hardcore
sound yet.
Jonny produced the CD, exercising a degree of creative
control unprecedented in his career. Tejano Music Awards Songwriter
of the Year Arturo Guillermo co-wrote two cuts and produced the
vocals.
Touring extensively in the U.S., Jonny saw firsthand how
crowds have been responding to the Colombian cumbia sound. “If I’m
going to play it, I might as well write it,” he reasoned, and he set out to
create some cumbias that showcase his knack for rhythm and his
trademark sense of humor.
With their charisma and enthusiasm, not to mention their
aggressive style of playing, Jonny Martinez y Grupo Bravo quickly
convert crowds into loyal fans. The youngest of four siblings, Jonny
grew up surrounded by music--his father, Anselmo “Chemiro”
Martinez, was a popular Orquesta Tejana artist in the ‘60s and a 1982
inductee into the Texas Talent Musicians Association’s Hall of Fame.
After starting out at Missouri Valley College on a football
scholarship, Jonny graduated from Southwest Texas State University in
Dec. 1992 with a bachelor’s in mass communication. His family roots are
in Morelos, Coahuila, his grandparents’ birthplace. Jonny Martinez y
Grupo Bravo blasted on to the scene in 1995 with the album Caminos
Chuecos, featuring the ranchera title track and novelty cumbia “La
Musiquera.” They followed that up with the hit ranchera “Chaparrita de
Oro” off second CD, Ron Con Coca Cola. Martinez and Arturo
Hernandez took creative control for third CD Mujer Mexicana, best
known for the fiery ranch era “Mujer Paseada.” —Doug Shannon
Jonny Martinez - 4942 Irma Ave., San Antonio TX 78237 - (210)4337136 - www.jonnymartinez.com |
