Born in Spain, Jose Martinez studied at the Rosella Hightower International school in Cannes. In 1987 he won the Prix de Lausanne and trained at the Paris Opera ballet school.

In 1988 he entered the Paris Opera ballet. In 1992 Jose won the Gold medal at the Varna Dance Competition and was promoted Premier Danseur of the P. O. B. In 1997 he was named Danseur Etoile. Jose Martinez' distinctive style combines an innate natural elegance with brilliant technique. His richness of expression lends an added dimension to classic roles in such ballets as: Rudolph Nureyev?s Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Raymonda, Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadere, Cinderella, Nutcracker, Pierre Lacotte?s Sylphide, Paquita, Patrice Bart?s Giselle. His ample repertoire includes various selections from Massine, Balanchine, MacMillan, Tudor, Graham, Taylor, Lander, Lifar.

Jose Martinez has had the opportunity to work with many of the most significant contemporary choreographers including Mats Ek (Giselle), Forsythe (In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, Wound Work 1), Kylian (Stepping Stones) Bejart (IX me Symphonie), Neumeier (Vaslaw, Le songe d?une nuit d?ete, Magnificat), Galotta (Les Variations d?Ulysse), Yanovski (Alquivia), Blanca Li (Sheherazade).

He has received many prestigious awards: A. R. O. P prize (1999); Carpeaux prize (1992); Danza & Danza prize (with Agnes Letestu, for best couple of the year, 1998); Leonide Massine prize (for his interpretation of The Tree Corner Hat, 1999); Gran Premio Nacional de Danza (Ministry of culture of Spain); Chevalier de L?Order des Arts et des Lettres.

As a guest artist he has danced with the National Ballet of Cuba, Staatsoper Berlin, Tokyo Ballet, Dutch National Ballet (Rudy Van Danzig?s Romeo and Juliet), Nice Opera Ballet, Ballet del Mediterraneo, Croatian National Ballet and the ballets of Theatro alla Scala di Milano and Theatro Communale di Fierenze.

Last but not least, Jose Martinez has performed in numerous galas around the world in Amsterdam, Berlin, Cannes, Dallas, Helsinki, La Havana, Lisbon, London, Madrid, New York, Rome, St. — Petersburg, Tokyo.