Ivan Martirena

Ivan has been interested in music since an early age.Originary from Buenos Aires, Argentina, his training began at age 12 in traditional south-American folk music and classical guitar, but not until his senioryears, where he turned toward his real passion: Jazz and improvised music.

His academic studies started at "Conservatorio Jose Manuel de Falla" Buenos Aires, where he got his first music Diploma and learned about ear training, harmony, counterpoint and solfege along with the classical studies. After this in 1997, Ivan earned a Degree in Performance from I.T.M.C (Technological Institute of Contemporary Music) and moved on towards a second Diploma in Professional Music and Arranging at Escuela de Musica BIN (Berklee International Network). Here he was awarded with a Mention of Honor, from "Conservatorio Souza Lima" Brazil and the "Best Achievement Scholarship" to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where he received the "Dean’s List recognition" award before graduating summa cum laude under the Professional Music degree program. During his college years he studied guitar with Pat Metheny, Mick Goodrick, Richie Hart and Larry Baione Improvisation with Hal Crook, Ed Tomassi and Dave Santoro and Ensembles with Joe Lovano and Darren Barret, was also able to perform with the young lions from many parts of the world.

Ivan tours around Europe and South America with different Duos, Trios an Quartets, and since he relocated in Chicago IL, he has been involved in many different projects and also performing around the Chicago area leading his own quartet witch blends traditional South-American music with elements of Jazz.

In addition to performing, Ivan teaches privately at his home studio in Wicker Park.

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