Martirio (María Isabel Quiñones Gutiérrez) was born in Huelva. Her career began in the seventies with Jarcha, a very important group during the transition to democracy. She then joined the group Veneno, with Kiko Veneno and the members of Pata Negra: Raimundo and Rafael Amador. In 1986 she began her solo career with the stage name and character of Martirio, appearing on stage with sunglasses and comb, becoming the most original artist in the Spanish music scene of the eighties.
Her music is a bridge between cultures, blending Andalusian, flamenco, bolero, tango, rock, etc. She has also worked in the theatre, on television and in the cinema, appearing in Belmonte by Juan Sebastián Bollaín, Más allá del jardín, by Pedro Olea and Iris, by Rosa Vergés. She has worked with many artists: Maria del Mar Bonet, Compay Segundo, Chavela Vargas, Carlos Cano, Pedro Guerra, Luis Pastor, Miguel Gil, Alberto Cortez and Miguel Poveda, among others.
Outstanding tracks from her albums include Acoplados (2004), Coplas de madrugá (1997), Flor de piel (1999), Mucho corazón (2001), Primavera en Nueva York (2006), El aire que te rodea (2011) and De un mundo raro. Cantes por Chavela (2013). She has received the Music Prize (2004), the Government of Andalusia Gold Medal, and the Cubadisco International Award (2010) and has been declared an adoptive daughter of San Juan de Puerto Rico.
LiberPress Song Award 2015
She was given the 2015 LiberPress Song Award for her involvement in popular music with an approach that is authentic, open and innovative, bringing music to the people, especially the humbler members of the working class, without entering the institutional folklore market; for her work in opening up worlds, building bridges between the most authentic and least commercial cultures of song, and for her solitary efforts to promote solidarity in the world of music.