Pedrito Martinez

Pedro Pablo “Pedrito” Martinez was born in Havana, Cuba, on September 12, 1973, in the Cayo Hueso neighborhood of Old Havana. He began his musical journey at the age of 11, immersing himself deeply in the rich traditions of Afro-Cuban folkloric music.
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Since relocating to New York City in 1998, Pedrito has become one of the most in-demand and respected percussionists, vocalists, and bandleaders in the world. He has recorded and performed with an extraordinary roster of artists including Eric Clapton, Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon, Ricky Martin, Jon Batiste, Chucho Valdés, Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Palmieri, Camila Cabello, Jackson Browne, Elton John, and Sting, contributing to more than 150 albums.
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A master of Afro-Cuban folkloric traditions and the batá drum, Pedrito is widely regarded as the world’s foremost rumbero—singing, playing, and dancing at the highest level. His deep connection to Cuban musical roots has also led to appearances in important films such as Calle 54 (2000) and Chico and Rita (2010).
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Pedrito was a founding member of the acclaimed Afro-Cuban/Afrobeat group Yerba Buena, with whom he recorded two albums and toured internationally throughout the late 1990s.
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In 2005, he formed The Pedrito Martinez Group in New York City, marking the beginning of his career as a bandleader. The group’s debut self-titled album, released in 2013, was nominated for a Grammy Award and was selected among NPR’s Favorite Albums of the Year, as well as The Boston Globe’s Top Ten Albums.
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Their second album, Habana Dreams (2016), recorded largely in Cuba, featured special guests including Rubén Blades, Isaac Delgado, Wynton Marsalis, and Angélique Kidjo.
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In 2019, Pedrito collaborated with Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodríguez on the duo album Duologue, which received critical acclaim and was featured as an NPR First Listen. The album was executive produced by Quincy Jones.
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That same year, Pedrito recorded a new arrangement of Eric Clapton’s My Father’s Eyes with Clapton for his album Acertijos (Riddles), and they performed it together at the Crossroads Guitar Festival in Dallas, Texas.
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On March 12, 2020, Pedrito appeared as a special guest alongside Dave Matthews, Jackson Browne, and The Tedeschi Trucks Band at the Love Rocks NYC benefit concert at the Beacon Theatre.
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Continuing to push musical boundaries, Pedrito began releasing singles in 2020 leading up to Acertijos, including Yo Sí Quiero and My Father’s Eyes. The album went on to receive a Latin Grammy nomination.
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His most recent album, Ilusión Óptica, released on May 30, also earned a Latin Grammy nomination and features an outstanding lineup of special guests including Andy García, Cimafunk, Cory Henry, Wampi, Kate Candela, Daniela Darcourt, Alexander Abreu, Yomil, Samy Sandoval, Sandra Sandoval, and Bill Murray—who joined The Pedrito Martinez Group for a special appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
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Pedrito Martinez proudly endorses LP Percussion, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth drumsticks, DW Drums, Remo drumheads, Earthworks microphones, Zoom audio,and Roland pads.