Pedrito Martinez

Pedro Pablo “Pedrito” Martinez was born in Havana, Cuba, Sept 12, 1973, and began his musical career at the age of 11.

Since settling in New York City in the fall of 1998, Pedrito has recorded or performed with Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, and Sting, and has contributed to well over 100 albums.

A master of Afro-Cuban folkloric music and the batá drum, he has played and sung with dozens of Cuban rumba groups and contributed to several important films, including Calle 54 (2000) and Chico and Rita (2010).

Martinez was a founding member of the Afro-Cuban/Afro-Beat band Yerba Buena, with which he recorded two albums and toured the world in the mid-to late-’90s.

As leader, Martinez has released two albums, the first one of which was nominated for a GRAMMY in 2013. Habana Dreams, the second, was recorded in Cuba, and released in 2016 featuring, Ruben Blades, Isaac Delgado, Wynton Marsalis, and Angélique Kidjo.

In 2019, Martinez and Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez recorded a duo album with Quincy Jones as Executive Producer.

Also in 2019, Martinez and Eric Clapton recorded a newly arranged version of Clapton’s song “My Father’s Eyes,” and performed together at Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival in Dallas, Texas.

Pedrito Martinez uses LP Percussion, A. Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth drumsticks, DW drums, Remo drumheads, and Earthworks audio mics.