Pedrito Martinez is a Grammy-nominated Cuban rumba, timba, and Latin jazz percussionist and singer-songwriter. He is the world’s 1st-call rumbero, and a true force of nature. In Yoruba tradition, he is Changó, the lord of the drum, inventor of the sacred batá.
The African and Diaspora drum is a healing instrument. If you are open to it, Pedrito’s drumming can change your life. He changed ours (seriously). Aché
Pedrito Martinez in New York City
Greenwich Village
Weedie Braimah & The Hands of Time featuring Pedrito Martinez play jazz led by the Ghanian djembe drum; at the Blue Note jazz club in Greenwich Village, Manhattan; on Monday-Wednesday, November 18-20, 2024, at 8pm and 10:30pm (6pm & 10pm doors). From $32 + minimums. 🇬🇭 🇨🇺
Greenwich Village
Pedrito Martinez Group plays Cuban jazz, timba, and rumba; at the Blue Note jazz club in Greenwich Village, Manhattan; on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 8pm and 10:30pm (6pm & 10pm doors). From $32 + minimums. 🇨🇺
Greenwich Village
Pedrito Martinez Group plays Cuban jazz, timba, and rumba; at the Blue Note jazz club in Greenwich Village, Manhattan; on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 8pm and 10:30pm (6pm & 10pm doors). From $32 + minimums. 🇨🇺
West Harlem
Pedrito Martinez, the world’s first-call rumbero, plays Afro-Cuban rumba and timba for Carnegie Hall Citywide in the Robert F. Smith Center for the Performing Arts at Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park in Hamilton Heights, West Harlem; on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 6pm. FREE. carnegiehall.org 🇨🇺
East Village
Pedrito Martinez, the world’s first-call rumbero, plays Cuban rumba, timba, and jazz; at Drom night club in Manhattan’s East Village; on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 8pm (7pm doors). From $30. 🇨🇺
New York Venues
- Blue Note New York
- Cafe Wha?
- Carnegie Hall
- Chelsea Music Hall
- Drom (residency)
- Harlem Stage
- House of Yes
- Jazz at Lincoln Center
- Red Rooster
- Roulette Intermedium
- Sony Hall
- Symphony Space
- The Town Hall
Pedrito Martinez
We don’t know how it is in rumba, but in Puerto Rican bomba (similar to rumba colombia), there is one master drummer who everyone else follows. In rumba, Pedrito is the one. The current evolution of Cuban music is timba, a fusion of rumba, rock, jazz, R&B, and funk; so unless he is playing straight ahead rumba, Pedrito plays timba. He’s a great singer and dancer too. Pedrito fits into the jazz frame too, because the jazz cats know that rumba (or Haitian yanvalou) is one of the deepest roots of blues, jazz, and American popular music.
Pedrito’s rumba is the real Cuban rumba from the heartland in Matanzas, Cuba. It’s not the rumba of the Palladium Ballroom (1946-1966) or ballroom dancing. Cuban rumba is one of the taproots of most Latin music including salsa, but it is distinct. When you listen to Pedrito, you will notice the difference right away. Most of us haven’t heard anything like this. He may stir something deep inside you, perhaps something you didn’t even know you had. After all, the entire human race is from Africa and regardless of the language we speak, everyone understands the drum. You can’t sit still when Pedrito plays. Let the drum move you.
Pedrito was born in the Cayo Hueso neighborhood of Old Havana, Cuba on September 12, 1973. He began singing and drumming as a child, and moved to New York City in 1998. Since then, Pedrito has played with a pantheon of Latin, jazz, and pop stars. He was a co-founder of Grammy-nominated Latin fusion band Yerba Buena (where we first saw him years ago), and has performed in several movies including the seminal Latin jazz film “Calle 54” and the beautiful animated film about being a Cuban artist, “Chico and Rita.”
He works with artists like Eric Clapton and Camila Cabello. Celebrities often appear at his shows and it’s been that way for years. He turned a house gig at a Cuban restaurant in Manhattan into a regular stop for pop music royalty from around the world. When the Rolling Stones are in town, they look for Pedrito. Wherever he plays becomes a musical Mecca.
Most Latin drummers are priests because the drum is a sacred healing instrument that is the center of traditional community life. Sit right next to the drum for a set and see what happens. Pedrito is Cuban Yoruba babalawo (priest). We kid you not, Pedrito changed our lives just with his drumming. We couldn’t be writing these words if we hadn’t listened to Pedrito Martinez, rumba master.
A Cuban party can be just for fun, or a more serious spiritual moment. Pedrito can take you to either place. His music comes from the rumba tradition, but is more accurately described as timba, contemporary Cuban dance music. Whatever you call it, Pedrito Martinez is a real force of nature and something you should experience at least once in your New York life.
Albums
Pedrito often plays as a sideman, but these are his own albums.
Acertijos
“Riddles” tells Pedrito’s story figuring out life as an artist in New York and Cuba. African Diaspora drumming is often sacred. In this album, Pedrito is more open about his spiritual life in the Yoruba traditions.
The great mysteries are often taught in riddles. You have to find the answer yourself. Afro-Caribbean traditions are also often presented in code. If you know, then you know. How cool. If you don’t, it’s just a pretty song. That’s cool too.
Pedrito’s music brings together Yoruba Africa, Cuban rumba, New Orleans jazz and Cuban timba (the next phase of Cuban dance music after the 1950s Cuban dance music that became salsa). Acertijos plays with the forces of nature, and that is something everyone can understand.
Habana Dreams
The Pedrito Martinez Group released their second album “Habana Dreams” (Motema Music) in the Spring of 2016.
Pedrito Martinez
The band’s first self-titled album was widely recognized and nominated for a “Best Latin Jazz Album” Grammy.
Information
When you want a Cuban party, a celebration with the ancestors and drumming, singing, and dancing, you call Pedrito.
X @pmartinezmusic
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¡Aché!