1. Early life

2. Career

3. Family Life

4. Awards and Honors

5. Philanthropy

6. References

7. Martin Guigui

8. Martin Guigui

Martin Guigui (Ghee-Ghee) is an Argentinian born Musician, Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Composer. He is also co-founder and President of Sunset Pictures.

Known as an actor’s director Martin has worked with some of Hollywood’s most respected talent.

A versatile musician with an organic ability to work within any genre or style, Martin has collaborated with a diverse array of high profile artists and icons of the music industry.

In 2017 Guigui helped organize and Music Directed the iconic One America Appeal Concert Event hosted by all five then living former U.S. Presidents: Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. 

The event raised $45 Million Dollars for Hurricane relief in Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico..^[1]

Early life

Guigui was Born in Buenos Aires Argentina, his father Maestro Efrain Guigui a symphony orchestra conductor, his mother Elena Guigui an opera singer, and his sister Ana a singer-songwriter, actress and music educator.

With a prodigy ear, Martin began playing music at the tender age of 4, possessing the innate ability to play back any piece of music after just one listen, a talent he still possesses to this day. Martin’s father quickly recognized Martin’s gift and mentored him in theory and harmony studies early on. Martin studied classical violin with Shirley Givens^[2], Piano with Bertha Odnoposoff, Guitar with Ernesto Cordero, and also added percussion to his musical pallet throughout his childhood, eventually embracing the piano as his principle instrument.

When Martin turned 10 years old, he made his professional concert debut performing Vivaldi’s Concerto for violin in D Major with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra^[3], in front of a sold out audience, which included then Puerto Rico Governor Luis A. Ferré and classical music icon Pablo Casals, both close friends of the Guigui family.

During the 1960’s and 1970’s Martin was raised in New York, Puerto Rico, and Vermont. The Guigui family spent their summers in Bennington where Martin’s father conducted the [https://www.composersconference.org/about/ American Composer’s Conference] and Martin played violin with the Green Mountain Fiddlers. Martin credits those early formative years as having a deep influence and lasting effect on his artistic choices as a creator. Martin was exposed to and interacted with the likes of John Cage, Milton Babbitt, and other legendary contemporary composers of the 20th century. The conceptual foundation of breaking musical rules within a 12-tone scale completely transformed Martin’s stylistic approach to creating, affecting both his musical and movie-making process.

Martin attended High School in Middlebury, Vermont, where he excelled as a basketball player, and began making experimental short films on the Super 8 format. Guigui embarked for New York on a scholarship to study film and music at Hofstra University, and although he never graduated, years later in 2011 Hofstra awarded Guigui with the distinguished [https://theislandnow.com/blog-112/hofstra-bestows-george-m-estabrook-awards/ Estabrook Award] for his career achievements.

Career

During the 1980’s Martin played keyboards in several bands in the New York tri-state area often sitting in with [https://www.allmusic.com/artist/little-buster-the-soul-brothers-mn0000308660 Little Buster & The Soul Brothers], the Long Island All-Stars, and his own group, which yielded the WNEW screamer of the week “King”. In the mid 1980’s Martin moved to Burlington, Vermont, a musical hotbed at that time, and jammed with Blues Traveler, Phish, Blue Rose, The Unknown Blues Band, Jamie Lee Thurston, Sandra Wright, The Jalapeno Brothers, and eventually forming his own group- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eki5z0Yzy_w The Martin Guigui Band], which became the mainstay of the scene, playing over 250 shows a year and recording two albums which produced regional hits “Maria”, “Anxiety”, “Sticky Love”, and “Why Are We Together”. The infectious songs penned by Guigui were often covered by other Artists and enjoyed Radio airplay. The band’s popularity spread and they became an opening act for [https://www.eddiemoney.com/ Eddie Money], NRBQ, James Cotton, Talking Heads and Bo Diddley amongst many others. The Martin Guigui Band began to expand its audience culminating in a showcase for the group in Los Angeles, where the band opened for Matthew Sweet. After the show, Atlantic offered Martin a “solo artist” deal, which would exclude the other members of the band. Guigui opted to remain loyal to his group and walked away from the deal. The original founding members of the Martin Guigui Band were John Carleton, Peter Persechino and Tom Smith. Eventually Dan Archer and Aaron Hersey rounded out the group during its most popular run. Other musicians that played in the band included Stacy Starkweather, Russ Remington, Jon Fishman, Chris Peterman, Chad Hollister, Joe Moore and Thom Carvey. Later on Russ Lawton anchored the band and became a key collaborator when Martin recorded his first solo record “A Moment In Time”^[4], which paved the way for Guigui’s first signing as an artist on the Rocket Science label ([https://www.discogs.com/label/105315-Adrenaline-Music-Group Adrenaline Music Group]), which successfully released the CD in 2009, making its way to Grammy consideration in three categories.

Now based in Los Angeles, Martin is music director for the [https://laallstars.com/entertainment-options-la-allstars-band/ L.A. All Stars], which is a super group made up of the industry’s finest session players and touring musicians. The L.A. All Stars perform at festivals, benefit shows and broadcast events. Over the years, rotating members include Kenny Aronoff, Carmine Rojas, Anton Fig, Will Lee, Mike Merritt, Joe Sublett, Mark Pender, Richie “LaBamba” Rosenberg, John Popper, James Wormworth, Phil Lo Presti, Warren Ham, Jonathan Mover, Scott Page, Cal Bennet, Mike Addiego, John Burk, Chris Peterman, Ron De Jesus, Tal Bergman, Ched Toliver, Corey Britz, Keith Hubacher.

Guigui has shared the stage, recorded, and performed with music greats and icons including Billy Gibbons, Daryl Hall, Nancy Wilson, Dave Navarro, Lyle Lovett, Lady Gaga, Lemmy Kilmister^[5], James Cotton, Jimmie Vaughan, Sheila E, Steve Earle, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, Joe Bonamassa, Jose Feliciano, Smokey Robinson, Robby Krieger, Bret Michaels, Eric Johnson, Sam Moore, David Byrne, Lucinda Williams, Grace Potter, Robert Randolph, Phish, Yolanda Adams, Robert Earl Keen, Orianthi, John Popper, Charlie Starr, Billy Ray Cyrus, Joan Osborne, Richie Sambora, Trace Adkins, Lee Greenwood, Randy Scruggs, Jake Owen, NRBQ, Steve Forbert, Don McLean, Bo Diddley, Rita Coolidge, Eddie Money, Laverne Baker, Ellis Hall, James Montgomery, Haley Reinhart, Benton Blount, ZZ Ward, Candice Glover, Kris Allen, The Slip.

Guigui has engineered dozens of records, produced over 40 albums, has worked with labels [https://concord.com/ Concord Music Group], Alcazar, Gadfly, Philo, Rounder, Pacific Records, and worked on numerous high profile recordings. A notable highlight is Billy Gibbons’ first solo album, Perfectamundo^[6]. Guigui was a catalyst and collaborated closely with Gibbons on all aspects of the record, including playing piano, Hammond B-3, and co-producing. Martin led a 45-city tour as music director with Billy Gibbons & The BFG’s, which included a historical visit and performances in Havana, Cuba at the Havana International Jazz Festival in 2015, yielding a documentary film, “Billy Gibbons & The BFG’s Go To Cuba”, which Guigui directed^[7]

While playing music in the 1980’s and 1990’s Guigui made music driven documentary films. In 1997, an experience playing at his ex-girlfriend’s wedding, led him to write his first screenplay, and direct his first feature length movie “My X-Girlfriend’s Wedding” (aka: Wedding Band) which featured an infamous cameo by Senator Bernie Sanders as Rabbi Manny Shevitz. Guigui relocated to Los Angeles, the film enjoyed success in the indie film festival circuit, however lackluster distribution stalled his filmmaking career. Guigui spent several years writing spec scripts, scoring films and TV shows while directing low budget features, notably “Swing”, “Beneath The Darkness” and National lampoon’s “Cattle Call”, all which have become cult favorites.

Most recently Guigui has been known to take on controversial movie projects tackling complex subject matters like “The Bronx Bull” and “9/11”. Most recently, in a partnership with NBA Entertainment, Guigui has embarked on writing and directing “Sweetwater”, telling the story of the first African American player to play in the NBA, a passion project over 20 years in the making. Martin is quoted as saying- “You jump off a cliff knowing you’re going to grow wings, and somehow I’ve managed to shove two lifetimes into one.” Encompassing Martin’s collective talents as a Director, Musician, Writer, Composer and Producer, Martin has worked on over 80 productions including TV shows, music videos, documentaries and feature films with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

Basketball

Guigui is a passionate lover of the game of basketball. He played in the NBA Entertainment League with the likes of Will Ferrell, Snoop Dogg, Brian McKnight, Chris Brown, Adam Sandler, Kevin Hart, Jamie Foxx, Justin Timberlake Rick Fox, Terrell Owens, and many other entertainment ballers who love the game. Guigui has also played in the legendary Venice Basketball League with some of the most respected street ballers in the world. Guigui still actively plays the game in industry leagues in Los Angeles. Martin maintains a strong relationship with the NBA and was integral in the induction of Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton into the Naismith Basketball Hall Of fame.

Family Life

Guigui makes his life in California with his talented family: wife Dahlia Waingort (together since 2000), their two daughters Esther and Rebecca, and their son Noah.

Awards and Honors

• Billboard Awards
• ASCAP Awards
• United Nations World Award
• Golden Spirit Award
• Estabrook Award
• Best Director Latin USA Film Festival
• Audience Favorite Palm Springs International Film Festival
• Audience Favorite Temecula Film Festival
• Audience Favorite Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
• Best Music Park City Film Music Festival
• Conquistador Award
• City Of Los Angeles Award

Philanthropy

One of Guigui’s mantras is “Life makes the most sense when you are giving.” Martin performs charity concerts regularly for America Salutes You, Endangered Species, Prevention Of Child Abuse, Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, National Guard Foundation. Guigui helped organize and Music Directed the iconic “One America Appeal” concert event hosted by all five then living former U.S. Presidents: Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. 

The event raised $45 Million Dollars for Hurricane relief in Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico.

References

Martin Guigui

Martin Guigui

• The Sweet Life (film)
• The Sweet Life (TV series)
• The Sweetness of Loving
• The Sweet Pretty Things (Are in Bed Now, of Course...)
• The Sweet Pretty Things (Are In Bed Now, Of Course...)
• The Sweets
• The Sweets Hereafter (The Simpsons)
• The Sweet Spot
• The Sweet Spot (TV series)
• The Sweet Sweet Fantasy Tour
• The Swellhead
• The Swellies
• The Swell Season (film)
• The Swerve: How the Renaissance Began
• The Swerve: How the World Became Modern
• The Swift UVOT Photometric System
• The Swifty
• The Swig Company
• The Swimmer (ballet)
• The Swimming Pool Library
• The Swindler
• The Swindler (1919 film)
• The Swindler (novel)
• The Swindlers
• The Swindlers (2017 film)