The Pedrito Martinez Group
About
“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… more →
“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 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 Wynton Marsalis.
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 late 1998, Pedrito has performed or recorded 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; Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Conrad Herwig , Edie Brickell , Joe Lovano, Eliane Alias and Sting, (for his Rainforest Foundation Benefit, with Elton John and Bruce Springsteen) and many others.
Pedro was also featured in 2,000, 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, 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.
