Martha Paredes
Martha Paredes is a percussionist born in Caracas Venezuela. She began playing "El Cuatro", a Venezuelan national instrument, at an early age. She was encouraged to do so by her father Manuel Paredes. Manuel is a renowned Venezuelan drummer "El Frances", who introduced her to rhythms of jazz, rock, world music, and other genres.
At the age of nine, Martha began to play percussion. Under the guidance of Professor Neville "Pichi" Ainsle, she started eight years of studies with timbales, congas, and bongos.
Martha began to define her career as a timbalera and later joined the group Instrumental y Voces from Universidad Sim√≥n Bol√≠var and Combolution. During her time with them Martha ventured into genres such as Latin American, folklorist, and contemporary. Moreover, in Combolution, she shared the stage with Venezuela'ís famous artists such as Alfredo Naranjo, Gerry Weil, Marisela Leal, and Mauricio Castro (Morito).
In 2002, Martha, seeking to expand and deepen her knowledge of music, moved to France to study at the School of Jazz, ARPEJ, in Paris. While there she attended conga classes with Orlando Poleo with whom she performed in concert in Afro-Venezuelan music at the "Salon du Chocolat". In Paris she also had the privilege to work with Cristobal Soto, another Important Venezuelan musician, on "Parradas Venezolanas", a popular style of music in Venezuela. At the same time she had the opportunity to perform Latin Jazz with "Madrugada Orquesta", directed by Nicholas Coyez.
Martha then headed back to Venezuela and continued her advanced studies in music: Timbales Applied to the Orchestra with Eiter "Kiko" Gonz√°lez; followed by Cajon Flamenco with Diego Alvarez Munoz "El Negro", and, finally, additional classes of Afro-Venezuelan Percussion with Jesus Paiva.
Currently, Martha is a member of the band "Los Fant√°sticos", who accompany the international artist Nacho, together with whom she has earned rave reviews from the public for her performances of the songs "Te quiero m√°s, Contigo y destino".
Martha Paredes continues to be recognized for her accomplishments as a skilled percussionist and Singer. Martha has had the pleasure of accompanying great artists such as: Chino y Nacho, Alejandro Sanz, José Alberto "El Canario, Rawayana, Yordano, Paulina Rubio, Reik and Greeicy Rendón.
