In Memoriam: Linda Martinez
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Yamaha Artist Linda Martinez on May 19, 2005 at the age of 29. A former child prodigy from Whittier, Calif., the accomplished pianist and composer performed her original compositions at such prestigious venues as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and The United Nations Headquarters.
Martinez made a tremendous musical impact during her short life, employing her versatility and skill as a performer and composer on numerous, wide-ranging projects. A graduate of Yamaha Music School, she was a frequent performer at Yamaha Junior Original Concerts in the U.S. and also performed in the International Junior Original Concert in Nemu-no-Sato in Japan. Martinez attended The University of Southern California, where she was named outstanding graduate of the School of Music. Even before completing her studies there, she landed work with the FOX network’s late night Keenen Ivory Wayans Show for a season.
This early success led to engagements with artists such as Jagged Edge, Genuine, Sugar Ray and Paulina Rubio. In 2000, she began touring with Destiny's Child, composing and arranging music for their live shows. She performed with such Jazz and Latin greats as Wynton Marsalis, Phil Woods, Ernie Watts, Bobby Shew, Sheila E. and Alex Acuna.
In 2003, Martinez edged out more than 600 competitors to win the National Turner Classic Movies Young Film Composers' Competition, composing and orchestrating the score for silent film The Ragman. Other film scores include Catching Kringle, Boy Next Door and Exit Smiling. She composed music for numerous programs for The History Channel and contributed source music and orchestrations for Columbia-Tristar's The Princess and the Marine, director Charles Burnett's The Annihilation of Fish, the TV movie Carrie, Showtime's Odyssey 5, and the miniseries Taken, produced by Steven Spielberg.
Known and loved by so many in the Yamaha community, Linda Martinez inspired all with her talent and spirit. To honor her memory, Yamaha Corporation of America’s "Yamaha Cares" program has established a scholarship fund in her name.
Linda Martinez, 1975 - 2005
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This early success led to engagements with artists such as Jagged Edge, Genuine, Sugar Ray and Paulina Rubio. In 2000, she began touring with Destiny's Child, composing and arranging music for their live shows. She performed with such Jazz and Latin greats as Wynton Marsalis, Phil Woods, Ernie Watts, Bobby Shew, Sheila E. and Alex Acuna.
In 2003, Martinez edged out more than 600 competitors to win the National Turner Classic Movies Young Film Composers' Competition, composing and orchestrating the score for silent film The Ragman. Other film scores include Catching Kringle, Boy Next Door and Exit Smiling. She composed music for numerous programs for The History Channel and contributed source music and orchestrations for Columbia-Tristar's The Princess and the Marine, director Charles Burnett's The Annihilation of Fish, the TV movie Carrie, Showtime's Odyssey 5, and the miniseries Taken, produced by Steven Spielberg.
Known and loved by so many in the Yamaha community, Linda Martinez inspired all with her talent and spirit. To honor her memory, Yamaha Corporation of America’s "Yamaha Cares" program has established a scholarship fund in her name.
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