Latest news with #AurelioMartínez
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Aurelio Martínez, Honduran Musician and Star of Garifuna Music, Dead at 55
Aurelio Martínez, the celebrated Honduran folk musician who helped introduce the wider world to the music of the Garifuna people, died Monday, March 17, in a small passenger plane crash. He was 55. Martínez was one of 13 people who died when the small plane crashed moments after taking off from an island near mainland Honduras. The musician's label, Real World Records, confirmed Martínez was among those who'd died in a statement. More from Rolling Stone Jesse Colin Young, Youngbloods Frontman Who Sang Sixties Hit 'Get Together,' Dead at 83 Wheesung, South Korean Star Who Helped Bring R&B to K-Pop, Dead at 43 D'Wayne Wiggins, Co-Founder of Tony! Toni! Toné!, Dead at 64 'Aurelio was more than just a musician — he was a statesman, a spokesperson and vital savior of the culture of the Garifuna people of Honduras,' the statement read. Peter Gabriel, who founded Real World Records, paid tribute to Martínez on Instagram, writing, 'His music will, I am sure, live on with all its artistry, sensitivity and musicianship. The deep love he had for his own Garifuna people will always be remembered, but it is most of all his own generosity and warmth that will be badly missed by all of us who loved him.' Born and raised in the small coastal village of Plaplaya, Martínez showed his musical prowess at a young age. Guided by his mother and uncles, he began playing percussion instruments at Garifuna ceremonies as a child, and was a well respected local musician by the time he moved away for school at the age of 14. The Garifuna people are descendants of Indigenous Caribbean tribes and enslaved Africans, who were exiled from St. Vincent and the Grenadines by British colonizers and settled largely on the coast of Central America. Garifuna music incorporates sounds from African, indigenous, Caribbean, and Latin traditions, with Martínez telling Rhythm Passport in 2017, 'Music is the most lively aspect of Garifuna culture because it captures our sentiments, preserves the language and reflects our spirituality.' He added: 'My people have a long history of resistance that goes back to the days of slavery and our homeland of St. Vincent. My music is an expression of freedom and hope. Garifuna music wants to transmit a message of peace and community.' After leaving Plaplaya for city of La Ceiba as a teenager, Martínez played with a variety of Latin jazz ensembles before forming his own group, Lita Ariran. Their 1995 album, Songs of the Garifuna was one of the first albums of Garifuna music to receive international distribution. Around the same time, Martínez — who primarily played acoustic guitar — found himself at the forefront of the punta rock movement, a 'high-energy, Garifuna roots-infused pop genre' that enjoyed wide success in Central America during the Nineties (per Real World Records). Martínez's international profile continued to grow after he struck up a friendship with Andy Palacio, another Garifuna artist from Belize. Palacio invited Martínez to perform at a Garifuna festival he organized, and the two recorded the duet 'Lánarime Lamiselu' for a compilation put out by Stonetree Records. Palacio also introduced Martínez to producer and Stonetree founder Ivan Duran, who would produce Martínez's 2004 solo debut, Garifuna Soul. The following year, however, Martínez stepped back from music and into politics, joining the Honduras National Assembly as one of the country's first congressmen of African descent. It was only after Palacio's sudden death in 2008 that Martínez felt compelled to perform and record again. He would go on to release three more albums, 2011's Laru Beya, 2014's Lándini, and 2017's Darandi. After Palacio's death, Martínez became arguably the world's most prominent Garifuna musician. But he remained a voracious student, always looking for ways to expand the possibilities of traditional Garifuna sounds. He spent time in Senegal, for instance, working with the singer-songwriter Youssou N'Dour and Orchestra Baobob, with those influences making their way onto Lándini. 'I have learnt that music has the power to carry the message of my people to the world and that it transcends beyond just entertainment,' Martínez said in that 2017 interview. 'I started with traditional Garifuna music and chords (usually only three chords) after traveling and sharing with artists around the world. Today, I not only see Garifuna music in my music: My music now has many elements of other styles, even though the essence continues to be Garifuna.' Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Aurelio Martínez, Honduran Garifuna musician and politician, dies at 55
Aurelio Martínez, the longtime ambassador of Garifuna music and former Honduran congressman, has died. He was 55. Martínez's official Facebook page confirmed his death and mourned the loss of the musician. "With deep sorrow, we confirm the passing of Aurelio Martínez, legendary musician, composer, and Garifuna activist, who tragically lost his life on March 17, 2025, in a plane crash off the coast of Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras," the post said. The small commercial plane crashed into the sea soon after takeoff on Monday en route to the Honduran city of La Ceiba, according to the Associated Press. Martínez was one of the 17 passengers on the plane and among the at least 12 people on the aircraft that died in the accident. The crash is currently under investigation by Honduran officials. Read more: Belizean musician championed the vanishing Garifuna culture "Aurelio Martínez was more than an artist — he was a guardian of Garifuna heritage, a bridge between generations, and a symbol of cultural resilience," the official Facebook page post continued. "His unmistakable voice and mastery of the guitar brought Garifuna music to the world's most prestigious stages, including his historic NPR Music Tiny Desk performance, where he became the first Honduran to take part in the renowned series." The singer-songwriter was a prominent member of the Garifuna ethnic group, a population of people with Indigenous and African ancestry found in Central America and parts of the Caribbean. Martínez made a career change in 2005 when he became the first Afro-Honduran elected to Honduras' National Congress. One of his main objectives while in office was to protect and highlight the Garifuna community. He served from 2006 to 2010. He returned to music after the passing of Belizean Garifuna musician Andy Palacio, with whom Martínez had performed throughout his career. Martínez was born in the Gracias a Dios Departamento of Honduras in 1969 and was drawn to music starting at a young age. Read more: The Garifuna honor a piece of their soul "When I was a child, I had very natural toys. My first toy was a guitar I built for myself from wood taken from a fishing rod. So that's how I played my first chords," he told Afropop Worldwide in 2006. " He left his hometown at age 14 and performed in several music ensembles before forming the group Lita Ariran. The band released its first album, "Songs of the Garifuna," in 1995. He would go on to release several other albums and was featured on the 2007 Palacio album "Wátina." His last solo album, "Darandi," was released in 2017. Stonetree Records, a music label Martínez had previously worked with, shared a statement Tuesday evening on Facebook about the musician's death. "We are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Aurelio, one of our closest friends and musical collaborators for more than 25 years," the label wrote. "With fierce pride, dignity, and passion afforded to only the most special artists, over the years Aurelio has been a beacon of hope for Garifuna culture worldwide. The Garifuna nation has lost an irreplaceable cultural champion, but his example will forever live in the countless hearts that he touched with his music and his humanity." Get our Latinx Files newsletter for stories that capture the complexity of our communities. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Aurelio Martínez, Honduran Garifuna musician and politician, dies at 55
Aurelio Martínez, the longtime ambassador of Garifuna music and former Honduran congressman, has died. He was 55. Martínez's official Facebook page confirmed his death and mourned the loss of the musician. 'With deep sorrow, we confirm the passing of Aurelio Martínez, legendary musician, composer, and Garifuna activist, who tragically lost his life on March 17, 2025, in a plane crash off the coast of Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras,' the post said. The small commercial plane crashed into the sea soon after takeoff on Monday en route to the Honduran city of La Ceiba, according to the Associated Press. Martínez was one of the 17 passengers on the plane and among the at least 12 people on the aircraft that died in the accident. The crash is currently under investigation by Honduran officials. 'Aurelio Martínez was more than an artist — he was a guardian of Garifuna heritage, a bridge between generations, and a symbol of cultural resilience,' the official Facebook page post continued. 'His unmistakable voice and mastery of the guitar brought Garifuna music to the world's most prestigious stages, including his historic NPR Music Tiny Desk performance, where he became the first Honduran to take part in the renowned series.' The singer-songwriter was a prominent member of the Garifuna ethnic group, a population of people with Indigenous and African ancestry found in Central America and parts of the Caribbean. Martínez made a career change in 2005 when he became the first Afro-Honduran elected to Honduras' National Congress. One of his main objectives while in office was to protect and highlight the Garifuna community. He served from 2006 to 2010. He returned to music after the passing of Belizean Garifuna musician Andy Palacio, with whom Martínez had performed throughout his career. Martínez was born in the Gracias a Dios Departamento of Honduras in 1969 and was drawn to music starting at a young age. 'When I was a child, I had very natural toys. My first toy was a guitar I built for myself from wood taken from a fishing rod. So that's how I played my first chords,' he told Afropop Worldwide in 2006. ' He left his hometown at age 14 and performed in several music ensembles before forming the group Lita Ariran. The band released its first album, 'Songs of the Garifuna,' in 1995. He would go on to release several other albums and was featured on the 2007 Palacio album 'Wátina.' His last solo album, 'Darandi,' was released in 2017. Stonetree Records, a music label Martínez had previously worked with, shared a statement Tuesday evening on Facebook about the musician's death. 'We are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Aurelio, one of our closest friends and musical collaborators for more than 25 years,' the label wrote. 'With fierce pride, dignity, and passion afforded to only the most special artists, over the years Aurelio has been a beacon of hope for Garifuna culture worldwide. The Garifuna nation has lost an irreplaceable cultural champion, but his example will forever live in the countless hearts that he touched with his music and his humanity.'
The Independent
18-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Honduran singer and politician Aurelio Martínez among 12 killed in Caribbean plane crash
Twelve people including a popular musician have been killed after a plane crashed into the Caribbean Sea shortly after taking off from Honduras. Tributes have been paid to Aurelio Martínez, a congressman and Garifuna singer who was among the victims of the tragic incident on Monday. The plane had taken off from the island of Roatan but made 'a sharp turn to the right of the runway and fell into the water,' civil aviation official Carlos Padilla said, according to CBS. Five people were rescued from the crash, the fire department said, after emergency responders waded through the water to pull survivors from the wreckage. Martínez's record label confirmed he was among those killed. 'Aurelio was more than just a musician — he was a statesman, a spokesperson and vital saviour of the culture of the Garifuna people of Honduras,' Real World Records said in a statement. The music label said Martínez began performing when he was just a boy and became an 'innovative artist', before joining the Honduran national assembly as one of the first congressmen of African descent. There were 15 passengers and two crew aboard the small Jetstream 32 plane, the New York Times reports. Fishermen were among the first on the scene, according to local media reports, spotting bodies and survivors in the water before going to the rescue of some of the people crying out for help. Honduran President Xiomara Castro said she activated an emergency taskforce to respond to the crash, which included the Honduran fire department, the army, national police and the Red Cross. 'They have immediately arrived at the scene of the plane crash that occurred 1 km from Roatán International Airport and are tirelessly assisting in the unfortunate incident,' she wrote in a translated post on X. 'The public hospitals in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba are now ready to treat injured passengers. 'May God protect people's lives.'
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
Famous Singer Among 12 Dead In Devastating Plane Crash Near Remote Island
A devastating off the coast of Roatán, Honduras, has left at least 12 people dead, including a U.S. citizen and beloved Honduran musician and politician, Aurelio Martínez. The Lanhsa airline Jetstream aircraft had just taken off from Roatán, a popular tourist destination in the Caribbean, on Monday night, when it reportedly suffered a mechanical failure and plunged into the sea just minutes later. According to Honduran authorities, the aircraft was carrying 14 passengers and three crew members. Five survivors were rescued from the wreckage, while one body remains unaccounted for as search efforts continue. Among the deceased is Aurelio Martínez, 56, a legendary Garífuna musician and politician, whose impact on Honduran culture was widely recognized. Martínez was a renowned voice in the Garífuna music scene, an Afro-Indigenous community with roots tracing back to St. Vincent, whose ancestors were exiled to Honduras in the 18th century. His group, Lita Ariran, was one of the first Garífuna bands to achieve international recognition, according to the Kennedy Center. Later in his career, Martínez transitioned into politics, serving as a representative in the Honduran National Congress. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize was among those who paid tribute, calling him a 'great friend of Belize and a true champion of Garífuna culture and music.' 'His passing leaves a void in the world of music and culture, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who loved his art and his people.' The flight manifest revealed that the passengers included a U.S. national, a French national, and two minors. A State Department spokesperson later confirmed the death of an American citizen, offering condolences to the families of all victims. 'We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected,' the statement read. 'Out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones during this difficult time, we have no further comment.' One of the survivors, a 40-year-old French citizen, was reportedly transferred to a hospital in San Pedro Sula for treatment. Carlos Padilla, a civil aviation official, described how the aircraft took off, made a sharp right turn, and crashed into the water about 0.6 miles from the island's coast. A local fisherman who was out at sea at the time narrowly avoided being struck by the falling plane. "The plane almost fell on us. I was fishing," he told HCH television, per CBS. Authorities continue to search for one remaining victim, but challenging underwater conditions have complicated efforts. 'It's been difficult to access the accident site because there are 30 meters (98 feet) of rocks, and you can't get there by walking or swimming,' Roatán Fire Captain Franklin Borjas explained. 'The divers helping with the rescue have zero visibility.' Dramatic footage from the scene showed rescue workers frantically searching the water for survivors. One video, described as a 'rescue' by officials, captured the moment a woman was pulled from the sea on a stretcher, though no further updates have been provided on her condition. In response to the tragedy, Honduran President Xiomara Castro issued a statement confirming that she had 'immediately activated' an Emergency Operations Committee to handle the crisis. Roatán, the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands, is a major tourist hub, known for its stunning coral reefs and pristine beaches. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, as the nation mourns the lives lost in this devastating tragedy. The United States has experienced a sharp increase in deadly plane crashes in 2025, marking a concerning shift in aviation safety trends. So far this year, 19 fatal aviation incidents have occurred, resulting in at least 106 deaths. Before 2025, the last fatal U.S. airliner crash occurred in 2009. While general aviation accidents—such as small private planes—have accounted for most fatal crashes in recent years, this year's incidents have raised alarm due to their frequency and impact. The NTSB has confirmed that preliminary reports for each 2025 aviation accident will be released within 30 days of the incident. However, full investigations, which determine probable causes and contributing factors, will take 12 to 24 months to complete. As aviation authorities continue their investigations, safety concerns remain high following the unexpected surge in fatal U.S. plane crashes this year.
