Benson Hosts Tejano Musical Icon Oscar Martinez, 10/4

EVENT: “El Tejano Enamorado: An Evening of Music and Art with Oscar Martinez” featuring a performance by Oscar Martinez. The event is free and open to the public.

WHEN: 7-9 p.m., Thursday, October 4, 2011.

WHERE: The Benson Latin American Collection in Sid Richardson Hall (map) on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin.

BACKGROUND: The Benson Latin American Collection welcomes Corpus Christi-based musician, author, radio host and artist Oscar Martinez for an event showcasing his life and work.

“El Tejano Enamorado: An Evening of Music and Art with Oscar Martinez” will feature a performance by Martinez backed by local Austin band Larry Lange and His Lonely Knights, as well as an exhibit of his unique and colorful artwork. The event takes place at the Benson Collection in Sid Richardson Hall on Thursday, October 4, from 7-9 p.m.

Considered to be one of the last of the pioneers of Tejano music, Martinez is perhaps best known for his songs, “El Tejano Enamorado” — which has been recorded by over 40 artists — and “El Gallo Copetón.” Martinez began playing the trumpet professionally at age 17, later performing with the renowned Isidro López Orchestra before forming his own band in 1958.  The Oscar Martinez Orchestra performed at hundreds of dances and other events in Corpus Christi and traveled throughout the state of Texas playing weekends in dancehalls in Victoria, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth and the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

With his signature dark glasses and pompadour hairstyle, Oscar Martinez is one of Corpus Christi’s most prominent living cultural icons, and one of his recent recordings, “The Corpus Christi Rose,” pays homage to his beloved hometown.

The still active Martinez hosts a Sunday afternoon radio program on Majic Tejano 104.9 FM and continues to write music. In recent years, he has pursued a lifelong passion for painting, using friends, family and his respected fellow musicians as the subjects of his work.

Martinez was inducted into the Tejano Music Hall of Fame in 1998 and into the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame in 2003.

Larry Lange will present brief remarks about Martinez’s long career, legacy and contributions to Texas music, and a reception with light refreshments will follow the musical performance.

The event is free and open to the public.