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 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. Ben Ratliff summed it up aptly for the New
York Times (June 15, 2010) calling it, “complex, blenderized Africa-to-the-New-World funk.”
With its formation in the current lineup in 2008,
the group has developed into an extraordinarily
tight and creative unit. With a home base gig in
Midtown Manhattan the group has built a fan base
that includes Steve Gadd, Ravi Coltrane, Taj Mahal,
Eric Clapton, John Scofield, Roger Waters, Derek
Trucks, Herlin Riley, and Will Lee.
Members include 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. Pedrito began his musical career at
the age of 11, performing as vocalist and
percussionist playing with such Cuban legends as
Tata Guines, 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 2,000,
Pedrito has performed, recorded, and/or toured with
Paquito D’Rivera; Brian Lynch; Steve Turre; Me’shell
Ndege’Ocello; 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 2,000, in the documentary film on Cuban music,
Calle 54.
Mr. Martínez was also a member of
the highly successful, Afro-Cuban/Afro-Beat
band,Yerba Buena with which he recorded two albums
and toured the world opening for bands including 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. And plans are in the works for a studio album
soon.
Pedro plays and endorses Latin
Percussion, Remo, Vic Firth, Sabian and Gibralter.
and vocal chants of the music of Yoruba and
Santeria. Ben Ratliff summed it up aptly for the New
York Times (June 15, 2010) calling it, “complex, blenderized Africa-to-the-New-World funk.”
Mr. Martínez was also a member of
the highly successful, Afro-Cuban/Afro-Beat
band,Yerba Buena with which he recorded two albums
and toured the world opening for bands including the
Dave Matthews Band, Willie Nelson and Ray Charles.
