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Artists
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| PROFILE |
“Since arriving in the United States at the end of the 1990s, the Cuban percussionist
[Pedrito] Martinez has been all over the place, putting rumba and guaguancó into the
weave of all kinds of groups…. when his drums, singing and writing are the focus – as is
the case in his new band, which plays complex, blenderized Africa-to-the-New-World
funk – he’s an incomparable performer.”
- Ben Ratliff, New York Times
The Pedrito Martinez Group has its roots planted firmly in the Afro-Cuban rumba tradition
and in the bata rhythms and vocal chants of the music of Yoruba and Santeria. With its
formation in 2008, the group has developed into an extraordinarily tight and musically
creative unit. With a home base gig in Midtown Manhattan, the group has built a fan
base that includes Steve Gadd, Taj Mahal, John Scofield, Eric Clapton, Roger Waters,
Derek Trucks, and Herlin Riley.
Members include Pedrito Martinz, from Havana, on percussion and vocals;
percussionist, Jhair Sala, from Lima, Peru; electric bassist, Alvaro Benavides, from
Caracas, Venezuela; and keyboard player/vocalist, Araicne Trujillo, from Havana, Cuba.
Pedro Pablo “Pedrito” Martinez was born in Havana, Cuba, Sept 12, 1973. He began his
musical career at the age of 11, performing as vocalist and percussionist with such
Cuban legends as Tata Guines and Munequitos de Matanzas. He was brought to
Canada in 1998, by Jane Bunnett, to tour with her group, Spirits of Havana. His decision
to remain in North America to pursue his career, proved to be an auspicious one when,
two years later, the annual Thelonious Monk Institute Competition showcased Afro-Latin
Hand Drumming for the first time ever. Pedro entered and won first place.
Since settling in New York City in 2000, Pedrito has performed, recorded, and/or toured
with Paquito D’Rivera; Brian Lynch; Steve Turre; Meshell Ndegeocello; Eddie Palmieri;
Bill Summers and Los Hombres Calientes; Arturo “Chico” O’Farrill; Stefon Harris; Bebo
Valdés; Cassandra Wilson; Joe Lovano, and Sting, (for his rainforest benefit, with Elton
John and Bruce Springsteen). Pedro was also featured in the documentary film on
Cuban music, Calle 54.
Mr. Martínez 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 opening for
the Dave Matthews Band, Willie Nelson and Ray Charles.
Pedrito has also lent his talents to over one hundred records, including albums by
Paquito d’Rivera, Issac Delgado, Eliane Elias, Stefon Harris, Steve Turre, Eddie
Palmieri, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Conrad Herwig, Edie Brickell and many others. These
include six records that have been Grammy® nominated and one, a collaboration
between Eddie Palmieri and Brian Lynch, called “Simpatico”, that was awarded a
Grammy®.
The group has released a live album recorded at their home gig in NYC. Plans are in the
works for a studio album.
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