Album Notes

Alberto San Martin developed his deeply ingrained passion for music, while still a child growing up in his native Chile. He would do anything to have time for his music and even managed to get his math teacher who was an accomplished musician to teach him guitar.

Since arriving in Calgary in 1979, Alberto has been involved in various musical groups, performing a diverse array of Latin musical genres, in the capacities of musician, singer, composer and director. He is a graduate from the jazz program at Grant McEwan College in Edmonton, having studied guitar and composition. A significant highlight of his professional career is being awarded the prestigious Juno award in 1993 for his work on the album “El Camino Real”, recorded by the renowned Latin American group, “Ancient Cultures”.

His current repertoire is a collection of original compositions infused Latin and South American rhythms and sounds. These most recent compositions are primarily performed by Alberto on guitar, but feature other indigenous South American instruments, such as zampoñas, queñas, and charango.

Over the years, He has played in coffee houses, released four CD’s as part of the groups Ancient Cultures and BC Salsa and played with well know recording artists, Oscar Lopez and Israel “Toto” Berriel of Los Muñequitos. Additionally, Alberto has been the musical director of the tropical band Barrio Sound and Balu duo for ten years. However, he has recently been inspired to create a new sound, with his composition of original melodies – a blend of Latin percussion rhythms infused with Cuban, South American and Jazz influences.