Andrei Martinez Agras is a Cuban jazz fusion, rock and Afro-Cuban Music guitarist and audio enthusiast best known for his work with the band Sintesis and as a leader of the Canadian jazz indie rock band The Wit.
Background
Born in Cienfuegos, Cuba, Andrei began playing guitar at the age of 8 under the tutelage of his father Quincian Martinez, developing an interest in rock and jazz music later on as he moved with his family to Havana and started taking lessons from renowned guitar teachers like Leopoldina Nuñez Lacret, Idalberto "Mister Acordes" Valdés and Jorge Luis Triana.
Career
He has worked with record labels like EGREM and Colibri
In the year 2005 at the age of 22 he began touring with Grammy nominee Afro-Cuban band Sintesis with whom he played until late 2012 when he moved to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, to continue with his career as a solo artist, session musician and record producer. During that time he also played with singers like Cecilia Noël (The Wild Clams) and Omara Portuondo (Buena Vista Social Club). In January of 2016 Andrei formed the Jazz Indie Rock group The Wit with bassist Kevin Chan and drummer Lou Plant.
Their first public performance was on March 22, 2016 at The Rainbow, Ottawa"s Legendary Home of the Blues.
Andrei mentions among his influences notably guitarists like Robben Ford, Scott Henderson, Wayne Krantz, John Scofield and Michael Landau but he also considers former Sintesis members William Mendez, Jorge Almarales, Victor Navarrete and Elmer Ferrer an important part of his sound. The most recognizable styles in his recordings are Blues, Funk, Jazz and Rock.