Originally from Ecuador and of Palestinian heritage, Jussif Barakat Martínez’s musical journey began with the electric bass, studying with Marcelo Acevedo. He later joined the Franz Liszt Conservatory of Quito, where he studied jazz under the guidance of Serge Agosh-Koff and Daniel Mancero. He also studied privately with his beloved mentors Rodrigo Becerra and Marvin “Doc” Holladay. His path to early music was somewhat of a coincidence: after being given the opportunity to attend a summer course in Oberlin, he attended the Oberlin Baroque Performance Institute and met former Tafelmusik violinist Marc Destrubé. This encounter ultimately led him to the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, where he focused on historical performance and earned MMus degrees in both classical double bass and violone, studying with Maggie Urquhart, Quirijn van Regteren Altena, and Jean-Paul Everts. Over the years, collaborations have included performances with the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, Le Concert des Nations, Dunedin Consort, Les Musiciens du Prince, Il Gardellino, Balthasar-Neumann Orchestra, La Petite Bande, B’Rock, Collegium Vocale Gent, and the Netherlands Bach Society. In 2019, he was awarded first prize at the Viennese Bass Days in Amsterdam for historically informed performance, both solo and ensemble. Having been fortunate to be mentored by Owen Hart Jr., Jussif has played with him in several bands across the Netherlands, including at the 44th Gouvy Jazz Festival. He feels very honoured to have joined the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra in September 2025.
Photo credit: Milagro Elstak