Event Description

Pedro Pablo “Pedrito” Martinez, born and raised in Havana, Cuba, began his musical career at age 11. After moving to New York City in 1998, Martinez became a sought-after artist, collaborating with Wynton Marsalis, Eddie Palmieri, Paul Simon and Sting, among others. He has contributed to over 100 albums. He is known worldwide for his mastery of the batá drum and is a leading figure in Cuban rumba.

Martinez was a founding member of Yerba Buena, an Afro-Cuban/Afrobeat band that gained international success in the 1990s. His career as a leader began in 2005 with the formation of the Pedrito Martinez Group. The group’s first self-titled studio album was nominated for a Grammy and was among NPR’s Favorite Albums of 2013 and The Boston Globe’s Top 10 Albums of 2013.

“Pedrito is a genius … working with him has been a revelation to me.” — Wynton Marsalis