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Agrupación Cubano- Latina residente en USA.
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 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 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 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, Dave Weckel, Anton Fig, Steve Jordan Taj Mahal, John Scofield,
Eric Clapton, Roger Waters, Zigaboo Modeliste, Wynton Marsalis, Derek
Trucks, and Herlin Riley.
Salon Cubano
Uploaded on Feb 24, 2012
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