This Friday, April 13 La Raza Galería Posada presents Martha Toledo in concert at Time Tested Books.

This highly requested return concert of Oaxacan singer Martha Toledo will be held at Time Tested Books located at 1114 21st Street. The Galería is holding several concerts off site this spring until their new center opens later in the year in Miller Park.

The radiant Mexican singer returns to Sacramento accompanied by superb guitarist José Roberto. Both artists played at the Galería Posada last September and left a lasting impression.

Martha Toledo (Image by: David Alvarez)

Toledo is an internationally recognized performer whose commanding presence embodies the sensibility and majesty of the Oaxacan culture. Toledo is a Zapotec singer from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in southern Oaxaca, Mexico.

Toledo’s soulful sound evokes the pulsing and vibrant rhythm of her country's music legacy. Many of these songs carry the contemporary message of respect and dignity, particularly for Latin American women.

With modern instrumentation and arrangements, Toledo brings a social awareness to her repertoire of classic and native songs.

In anticipation of her performance on Friday night an interview with Toledo was arranged by Mindy Giles of Swell Productions and filmmaker Maureen Gosling. I conducted the interview in Spanish and is translated below.

When did you arrive for this concert?

This time we got here on March 30. The only concert I’ll be performing this time will be in Sacramento. The purpose of the trip was to work on my next CD with José Roberto.

So will this be your third recording?

Yes, it will be a double CD release. It’s a special undertaking for me as it will be like a story of my life. It will be entitled “Estoy Viva” (I’m Alive). It deals with a near fatal traffic accident I was in last year. I was close to death but thanks to God I’m still here. So the songs in the next release will deal with the celebration of life. The CD will be a song of life.

You were here at the Galería Posada for a concert last September. How would you describe your experience in Sacramento?

For me it was a great experience singing at the Galería Posada. The public was very gracious and enthusiastic making me feel as if I was at home. This was my first visit to Sacramento and enjoyed it very much.

I enjoyed the YouTube videos you’ve put together with Maureen Gosling’s filming. Have you worked with her often?

Yes, I’ve enjoyed working with Maureen. I enjoyed seeing her work from last year’s concert at the Galería Posada and enjoyed how well and beautifully she put them together. It was also a very intense concert as this happened after the accident I was in earlier in the year. I was still in recovery and it took extra physical and mental effort to do the show but at the same time I loved performing for such an adoring audience.

After Friday’s performance do you have any plans of doing other concerts during your trip?

No, I have to return to Oaxaca, Mexico on April 16.

Besides Sacramento did you get a chance to tour the last time you were in the U.S.?

Yes I did, besides singing in Sacramento we also had concerts in San Francisco, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Denver and Vail. It was a great experience.

Do you have any other projects coming up?

I’m working on a recording with four female poets from Zapoteca. They’re a wonderful group and very talented who compose original poetry. My next CD will also be an accomplishment when it’s done.

What type of music do you enjoy?

I love Mexican music of course and well I really enjoy international music. I enjoy American jazz and folk music. I also enjoy live musical performances. I’ve grown in a culture where we eat, live and die with music. In and around my hometown for example, no matter how poor a person is the family arranges to have musicians play at their funeral and also play as their casket is carried from their home to the cemetery. Music is big part of our lives.

Is there anything else you’d like to say that we haven’t covered?

For this next CD I wrote four original songs. With this CD I’m entering a new phase in my musical career. This is very important for me it’s a process that allows me to write about my experiences and share them with others. I’d like to invite the public to come to the concert this Friday. I would love to share my songs, poetry and music with the Sacramento audience.

Martha Toledo and José Roberto (Image by: Courtesy Swell Productions)

Tickets are still on sale for Toledo's April 13 concert that starts at 7 p.m. on Friday night.