“an incomparable performer… a traditional Afro-Cuban music superstar” – New York Times
Pedro Pablo “Pedrito” Martínez was born in Havana, Cuba. Here, he grew up in the Cayo Hueso neighborhood, where rumba is played all day long. Then he began his musical career at age eleven, with a foundation in the rumba and Afro Cuban Yoruba traditions. Since settling in New York in 1998, Pedrito has recorded or performed with Paul Simon, Wynton Marsalis, and Paquito D’Rivera. He has also worked with Bruce Springsteen, Ruben Blades, Eddie Palmieri, Dave Matthews, and Sting. Moreover, he has contributed to over seventy-five albums.
Martinez is a consummate master of Afro-Cuban folkloric music and the batá drum. Furthermore, he is also the world’s first-call rumbero—playing, singing, and dancing with dozens of Cuban rumba groups. Pedrito was a founding member of the highly successful Afro-Cuban/Afro-Beat band Yerba Buena. With them, he recorded two albums and toured the world in the mid-to late-90’s.
Mr. Martínez’s career as a leader began in 2005 with the formation of The Pedrito Martínez Group in New York. He has recorded four solo albums, the first of which was nominated for a Grammy in 2013. It was also chosen among NPR’s Favorite Albums for 2013 and The Boston Globe Critics’ Top Ten Albums.
Pedrito and Eric Clapton recorded a newly arranged version of Clapton’s song, “My Father’s Eyes,” for Martínez’s 2021 album Acertijos. The two performed the song together on Clapton’s Crossroads Festival in Dallas. Pedrito was involved in streaming projects Play On for CBS TV with Jon Batiste, and the NEA Awards at SFJazz. Also, he has been named Jazz Percussionist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association seven times in the past nine years.
Recommended for fans of Poncho Sanchez, Chucho Valdés, Afro-Cuban All Stars and Eddie Palmieri.
LEARN MORE: https://www.pedritomartinezmusic.com/
📸: Danny Clinch
