Pedrito Martinez Group
Mel Lehan Hall at St. James, 3214 W. 10th, Vancouver “Pedrito is a genius…working with him has been a revelation to me.” ~ Wynton Marsalis
“An incomparable performer” ~ NY Times
“The Pedrito Martinez Group is the real thing. They had the club JUMPING! It made me feel like a teenager!” ~ Quincy Jones
“The Pedrito Martinez Group is writing a new chapter in Cuban music history… The more you listen, the more you realize Pedrito is, almost impossibly, both a cosmopolitan entertainer and an authentic folklorist.” ~ NPR
Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, Grammy-nominated Pedrito Martinez began touring internationally in the 90s and eventually made a home and a name for himself in New York City.
At his regular gig in Midtown Manhattan he and his extraordinarily tight and creative group show off their talents and fresh and catchy grooves to dedicated fans including the likes of Roger Waters and Wynton Marsalis.
A master of Afro-Cuban folkloric music and the batá drum he is also the world’s first-call rumbero (master of the rumba)—playing, singing, and dancing with dozens of groups and contributing to or appearing in films, including Calle 54 and Chico and Rita.
Martinez and his band pack a powerful punch with guaguancó, timba, R&B, gospel, and flamenco grooves that will have you shimmying in the aisles.
Featuring Pedrito Martinez, percussion and lead vocals, Jhair Sala, percussion and vocals, Alvaro Benavides, bass and vocals and Edgar Pantoja-Aleman, keyboards and vocals.