Gilberto Martinez │ Classical Guitarist

In this edition of Heart Of The Guitar I am featuring a rare video of Gilberto Martinez, a classical guitarist from Hawaii.  He performed professionally as a classical guitarist in Waikiki, Hawaii for over 25 years.  He recorded two record albums.  They were released in 1973 and 1977 respectively.  You can still them find them on Ebay, but they are rather pricey.  Gilberto's playing style is rather unique, in that you can hear three distinctive parts in his arrangements at all times.  You hear the melody, harmony, and a constant bass line.  It's that base line that makes Gilberto stand out among all the other solo guitar players in the world.  No other classical guitarist has been able to recreate that effect consistently in their playing or arrangements.  By-the-way, Gilberto creates all his own arrangements.  Gilberto's extensive use of the "rest stroke" brings out, and makes his melodies soar, almost like the guitar is singing.  The photo of Gilberto above this post is the actual cover of his guitar book "Guitar Moods" that was published by Charles Hansen Music & Books in 1974.  The video below was recorded live at the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, Hau Tree Lanai in Waikiki in 1987.  Here is a list of the songs in the video:
 
1. Girl From Ipanema
2. Moonlight Sonata
3. Manhã de Carnaval
4. Empty Chairs
5. Don't Cry For Me Argentina
6. Misirlou
7. Corcovado
8. Bachianinha
9. Meditation
10. Brazil
11. A Felicidade
12. Hava Nagila
13. If I Were A Rich Man
14. Pachelbel's Canon
15. Wave
16. Somewhere In Time
17. São Demais Os Perigos Desta Vida
18. At Seventeen
19. Love's Been Good To Me
20. Consolação

Gilberto is now retired and lives in seclusion in Hilo, Hawaii.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Heart Of The Guitar, wherever you may be.