By José Francisco Ávila
The Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. expresses its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and the entire Garifuna Nation on the passing of the legendary Aurelio Martínez (09/29/1969 – 03/17/2025). His voice, music, and unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting Garifuna culture transcended borders, uniting our people and sharing our rich heritage with the world.
As we mourn this tremendous loss, we also celebrate his extraordinary life and lasting contributions. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Singer, guitarist, composer, and percussionist, Aurelio Martínez, was a true virtuoso and one of Central America’s most gifted performers. Born in the community of Plaplaya, where he spent his formative years, he moved to La Ceiba at 14 to pursue higher education, working and studying diligently. Acclaimed for both his preservation and modernization of the Garifuna musical tradition, Aurelio’s virtuosity was evident in his distinctive, penetrating vocals and his exceptional talent as a composer. He was born into a family with a long and distinguished musical tradition in the small Garifuna community of Plaplaya in Honduras. He began playing the guitar as soon as he could hold the instrument, and by the age of six, he was regularly playing drums at social gatherings. Inspired by his grandmother and father, Aurelio amassed a vast repertoire, enabling him to develop his own unique style.
His professional music career began in Honduras in 1984, leading him to join Vicente Blandon’s Shahilas band. In 1989, he returned to La Ceiba as co-founder of Colectivarte with Guillermo Anderson and Lucas Calderón and formed the Garifuna ensemble, Lita Ariran, which recorded «Songs of the Garifuna (Honduras)» with JVC Company of Japan. This project marked the beginning of the internationalization of Garifuna music with a tour to Japan.
In 1993, he joined Alfonso «Fonchin» Flores’ Los Gatos Bravos, a leading band and pioneers of the Punta genre. In 1997, Aurelio formed his own band and recorded his first album, «Innocence,» in the Punta Rock genre. This album solidified Aurelio as a pivotal figure in the Garifuna music scene, bringing it to a global audience. Alongside his Belizean colleague Andy Palacio (RIP), he continued the internationalization of Garifuna music through the Paranda genre.
He achieved outstanding international recognition, including a musical tribute celebrating his 30-year career by the New York Garifuna Community in 2015, during which he received proclamations and citations from Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, Sr., Assemblymen Marcos Crespo, Michael Blake, and Luis Sepulveda, and Councilmember Ritchie Torres. In 2009, Youssou N’Dour presented Aurelio Martínez performing his original songs, «Nirau Hagabou» and «Africa,» at the Union Chapel in London during the closing celebrations of the 2008/2009 Rolex Arts Initiative. In 2008, the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative selected Aurelio Martínez to collaborate with a renowned mentor. In 2006 the Spanish public television devoted a musical documentary series titled The Garifuna Adventure on Aurelio and the Garifuna music in Honduras and Belize. In 2005 Afropop Worldwide selected Aurelio as «Newcomer of the Year» and his album Garifuna Soul among the 10 best albums of 2004. At the 1998 Garifuna World Music Awards in New York, Aurelio Martinez received the Award for Best Folkloric Male Vocalist, and Lita Ariran, the Best Folkloric Group.
Aurelio Martínez’s legacy is one of profound artistic achievement and cultural preservation. He will be remembered not only for his extraordinary musical talent but also for his unwavering dedication to sharing the beauty and richness of Garifuna culture with the world. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
