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Pedrito Martinez

Pedro Pablo “Pedrito” Martinez was born in Havana, Cuba, Sept 12, 1973 in the Cayo Hueso neighborhood of Old Havana, and began his musical career at the age of 11.Since settling in New York City in the fall of 1998, Pedrito has recorded or performed with Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon, Paquito D’Rivera, Chucho Valdez, Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Palmieri, Dave Matthews, Jackson Browne, Elton John, James Taylor and Sting, and has contributed to well over 100 albums.  A consummate master of Afro-Cuban folkloric music and the batá drum he is also the world’s first-call rumbero—playing, singing, and dancing with dozens of Cuban rumba groups and contributing to, or appearing in, several important films, including Calle 54 (2000) and Chico and Rita (2010).

Pedrito was a founding member of the highly successful, Afro-Cuban/Afro-Beat band, Yerba Buena, with which he recorded two albums and toured the world in the mid- to late-90’s.

Mr. Martinez’s career as a leader began in 2005 with the formation in NYC of the The Pedrito Martinez Group. The group’s first, self-titled, studio album, was released October, 2013, was nominated for a Grammy, and was chosen among NPR’s Favorite Albums of 2013 and The Boston Globe Critics Top Ten Albums of 2013.”

Habana Dreams, their second album, recorded largely in Cuba, was released in June 10, 2016. Guests include, Ruben Blades, Isaac Delgado, Wynton Marsalis, Angelique Kidjo.In February of 2019, Pedrito and Cuban pianist, Alfredo Rodriguez, released a duo album called Duologue to critical acclaim and was selected by NPR for a First Listen. Quincy Jones was Executive Producer. In July 2019, Pedrito and Eric Clapton, recorded a newly arranged version of Clapton’s song, My Father’s Eyes for a new Pedrito Martinez album, called Acertijos (Riddles), to be released in early 2021. And on September 22, Pedrito and Clapton performed the song together at Clapton’s, Crossroads Guitar Festival in Dallas, Texas.On March 12, 2020 at the Beacon Theater in NYC, Pedrito had the honor of performing as special guest, with Dave Matthews, Jackson Browne, and The Tedeschi Trucks Band, for a benefit concert called Love Rocks NYC. In June of 2020, Pedrito began releasing singles that were recorded for album, due in early 2021, Acertijos—starting with Yo Si Quiero, an original by Isaac Delgado Jr, Mitchell Delgado, and Pedrito, followed by My Father’s Eyes, a duet with Eric Clapton.

 

Gear

Pedrito Martinez uses LP Percussion, A. Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth drumsticks, DW drums, Remo drumheads, and Earthworks audio mics


Tags

15
Album Review

Steve Turre: Generations

Read "Generations" reviewed by Dave Linn


Generations is a wonderful exploration of the bop and post-bop era. Steve Turre both looks back to his roots while encouraging the next generation of musicians to find their voice. It's a position he's eminently qualified for, considering the artists he has played with and his tenure as a long-time jazz educator. Trombone players have a unique place in the sound created in a small jazz band. Their parts helped blend and define any given melody. On this ...

10
Album Review

John Beasley, Magnus Lindgren, SWR Big Band: Bird Lives

Read "Bird Lives" reviewed by Jim Worsley


Round about 2017 there was a meeting of the minds. Composers and musicians John Beasley and Magnus Lindgren evolved as kindred spirits, and chose to work together on a project engulfing their shared appreciation of Charlie Parker. This tribute to the man who came to be known simply as Bird, had trouble taking flight. Obstacles, none bigger than Covid, came along and stood in the way. Dedicated to its completion, the pair, along with the SWR Big Band, has now ...

36
Album Review

Bill O'Connell: A Change Is Gonna Come

Read "A Change Is Gonna Come" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Pianist Bill O'Connell, who has been at the top of his game for more than four decades with no signs of slowing down, says each of his albums is a snapshot of how he is feeling at a particular time in his life. A Change Is Gonna Come expresses O'Connell's frame of mind after enduring more than two years of the Coronavirus pandemic. By and large, the mood is optimistic, underscoring his belief that the worst of the pandemic could ...

12
Album Review

Pedrito Martinez Group: Habana Dreams

Read "Habana Dreams" reviewed by James Nadal


The African drums and rhythms that originated in Yorubaland, have been an integral part of the Santeria religion in Cuba, and a profound influence on the rumbero percussionists on the island. Pedrito Martinez is a premier conga master who hails from the Cayo Hueso barrio in La Habana, and is also an akpwon (lead singer) and santero priest, guiding the ceremonious drumming and invocations of the spirits. Habana Dreams was recorded in the historic Areíto/EGREM studios in the city, and ...

9
Album Review

Pedrito Martinez: The Pedrito Martinez Group

Read "The Pedrito Martinez Group" reviewed by Andrew Luhn


On the front cover of their debut album, The Pedrito Martinez group, declares their music to be “The Latin Jazz Revolution!" and revolutionary might just be the best way to describe the group's music. Pedrito Martinez is undeniably one of the most talented young musicians in Latin music today and has become one of the most in-demand in the industry for both his beautiful voice and his exceptional percussion skills. The group he leads is expanding the definitions of Latin ...

116
Album Review

Alex Brown: Pianist

Read "Pianist" reviewed by Edward Blanco


With a little help from Cuban-born saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera the jazz world heralds the entrance of 22 year-old Alex Brown, capturing but a glimpse of his talents on a monster recording debut simply entitled Pianist. It was actually D'Rivera's bassist, Oscar Stagnaro,who began to gig with pianist around the Boston area, ultimately introducing Brown to D'Rivera, and the rest is history. Taken with Brown's skills on the instrument and his understanding of Latin music beyond Afro-Cuban rhythms, D'Rivera took him ...

238
Album Review

Alex Brown: Pianist

Read "Pianist" reviewed by Raul d'Gama Rose


Even for a pianist with as prodigious a talent as Alex Brown, having a heavyweight in the music pantheon such as Paquito D'Rivera produce the debut album, must have largely been a dream. However, to pull off a debut as fine as this is a feat in itself. As a pianist, Brown has remarkable technique. Although he may still be searching for his true voice and that may take time, he appears to be closer than most. He is truly ...

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Video / DVD

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: The percussive prowess of Pedrito Martinez

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: The percussive prowess of Pedrito Martinez

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week, let's take a look at some videos featuring percussionist and vocalist Pedrito Martinez, who's coming to St. Louis to perform Wednesday, April 24 through Sunday, April 28 at Jazz St. Louis. Martinez, 45, was born and raised in Havana, Cuba, where he learned to play popular Cuban styles as well as Afro-Cuban folkloric and religious music on a variety of percussion instruments. He came to the U.S. from Havana in 1998, and over the past 20 years has ...

1

Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: Alfredo Rodriguez & Pedrito Martinez, Tim Rushlow, and more

Jazz this week: Alfredo Rodriguez & Pedrito Martinez, Tim Rushlow, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week's calendar of live jazz and creative music in St. Louis features a couple of noteworthy duo performances, a country singer turned big-band crooner, a new location for one of Grand Center's jazz spots, and more. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, February 1 Pianist Alfredo Rodriguez and percussionist/vocalist Pedrito Martinez will perform for the first of four nights at Jazz at the Bistro. The two Cuban natives will be joining forces as a duo for the first time ...

Video / DVD

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martinez

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martinez

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week, StLJN's video spotlight shines on pianist Alfredo Rodriguez and percussionist and singer Pedrito Martinez, who are coming to St. Louis for a series of duo performances starting Wednesday, February 1 through Saturday, February 4 at Jazz at the Bistro. Both Martinez, 43, and Rodriguez, who's 31, are originally from Cuba, and came to the United States to pursue their musical careers in 1998 and 2009, respectively. Martinez settled in New York City, and was part of the group ...

1

Festival

Jazz this week: Pedrito Martinez, Tim Berne’s Snakeoil, East West Fusion Fest with Michael Manring, and more

Jazz this week: Pedrito Martinez, Tim Berne’s Snakeoil, East West Fusion Fest with Michael Manring, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

View more events at stlouis.jazznearyou.com. This weekend offers St. Louis fans of jazz and creative music a nice opportunity to see four different touring acts in four days at four different venues, plus a variety of performances from local players. Let's go to the highlights... Thursday, May 7 Percussionist Pedrito Martinez and his group will make their St. Louis debut with a one-night stand at Jazz at the Bistro. Martinez is a 41-year-old Cuban native who moved his homeland first ...

Music Industry

New York City's Pedrito Martinez Group Signs with Motéma Music

New York City's Pedrito Martinez Group Signs with Motéma Music

Source: GoMedia PR

The charismatic Pedrito Martinez Group - a veritable 'Latino Fab Four' - who met and started playing together at the Guantanamera restaurant in New York City five years ago, is led by the much in-demand Cuban percussion wizard Pedrito Martinez. Pedrito has performed on over 100 recordings, including Eddie Palmieri and Bryan Lynch's 2010 Grammy®-winner Sympatico; was a member of the Grammy®-nominated fusion band Yerba Buena; and has played with greats such as Sting, Paul Simon and Wynton Marsalis. Co-featured ...

Recording

Cuban Musician Pedrito Martinez Merges Cuban and Flamenco Rumba on New Album, Rumba de la Isla

Cuban Musician Pedrito Martinez Merges Cuban and Flamenco Rumba on New Album, Rumba de la Isla

Source: DL Media

Features Songs Once Interpreted By Camarón de la Isla Available March 12, 2013 from Sony Masterworks and Calle 54 Records Sony Masterworks in partnership with Calle 54 Records will release Cuban musician, Pedrito Martínez‘s new album Rumba de la Isla on March 12th, 2013. Featuring songs once interpreted by Camarón de la Isla, the legendary flamenco icon, Rumba de la Isla is produced by Fernando Trueba and Nat Chediak. The album celebrates the convergence of both the Cuban and Flamenco ...

Since arriving in the United States at the end of the 1990s, the Cuban percussionist Pedro Martinez has been all over the place, putting rumba and guaguancó into the weave of all kinds of groups. But when his drums, singing and writing are the focus – as is the case in his new band– he’s an incomparable performer. —Ben Ratliff, New York Times June 25, 2010

“Pedrito is a genius…working with him has been a revelation to me.”
  Wynton Marsalis

“The Pedrito Martinez Group is the real thing.  They had the club JUMPING! It made me feel like a teenager!Quincy Jones

“The Pedrito Martinez Group is writing a new chapter in Cuban music  
 historyNPR All Things Considered

Mike Schwebke
multi-instrumentalist

Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

A Change Is Gonna Come

Savant Records
2022

buy

Generations

Smoke Sessions Records
2022

buy

Bird Lives

ACT Music
2021

buy

Habana Dreams

Motéma Music
2016

buy

Rumba de la Isla

W3 Public Relations
2013

buy

Waltz for Moe

From: Panamericana Suite
By Pedrito Martinez

Videos

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