Percussionist

Pedro Pablo “Pedrito” Martinez was born in Havana, Cuba, September 12, 1973 in the Cayo Hueso neighborhood, where rumba is played all day long, and began his musical career at the age of 11, with a foundation in the rumba and Afro Cuban Yoruba traditions.

Pedrito Martinez Group

Monterey County Fairgrounds

Experience an irresistible blend of Afro-Latin music, jazz, and funk, led by Cuban-born and New York–based bandleader, vocalist, composer, and percussion virtuoso Pedrito Martinez. His long-running and Grammy Award–nominated Pedrito Martinez Group is a true New York powerhouse. The band grooves so hard it makes Martinez’s breathtaking rhythmic feats seem effortless. Catchy songwriting, rich musical traditions, and impeccable band chemistry come together in a high-energy performance enjoyed by listeners and dancers alike.

Carnegie Hall Citywide: The Pedrito Martinez Group

Riverbank State Park

Lauded by The New York Times as “an incomparable performer…and as close as Afro-Cuban music gets to a superstar” percussionist, singer, and dancer Pedrito Martinez is widely regarded as the world’s first-call rumbero. Martinez has shared the stage with artists such as Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Wynton Marsalis, and Sting; recorded four solo albums; appeared on over 100 others, and earned seven “Jazz Percussionist of the Year” nods from the Jazz Journalists Association. His last appearance at Spoleto concluded with a packed Cistern Yard audience on their feet. Now, the Grammy Award-nominated conguero and batá drum master returns with an expanded band, vocalists, and dancers for a performance featuring a mix of Afro-Cuban rhythms and cutting-edge dance music.

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Pedrito Martinez: Echoes of Africa

College of Charleston

Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval is an undisputed legend: a protégé of Dizzy Gillespie, who helped him defect from Cuba, he helped redefine the sound of Cuban jazz as a founding member of Irakere. He’s a classically trained trumpeter who has appeared with symphony orchestras, and premiered John Williams’ Trumpet Concerto.

Arturo Sandoval and Pedrito Martinez

Berklee College of Music

Grammy-nominated artists Alfredo Rodríguez and Pedrito Martinez first worked together on Rodríguez’s 2012 release Invasion Parade. Since that initial recording session, they have had the rare occasion to perform together as a duo, leaving audiences completely mesmerized by their fearless and virtuosic playing. Each artist brings a different approach to the collaboration. Rodríguez was schooled in the rigorous classical conservatories of Havana, and his piano playing is informed as much by Bach and Stravinsky as it is by his Afro Cuban and jazz roots. Percussionist Martinez’s musical training came directly from the streets of the Cayo Hueso neighborhood of Old Havana in which he was raised.

Alfredo Rodríguez & Pedrito Martinez

Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts

Celebrate the music and legacy of legendary saxophonist John Coltrane in honor of his 100th birthday. Camp Coltrane invites young musicians to explore Coltrane’s powerful sound through jazz combos, improvisation, and ensemble playing—plus special masterclasses with world-renowned artists Chico Pinheiro (guitar) and Pedrito Martinez (percussion).

Jazz Combo Camp: Camp Coltrane

Charleston Jazz Academy

Grammy-winning percussionist Pedrito Martinez returns for a third appearance at Spoleto, where he’s thrilled audiences with his electrifying rhythms, powerful vocals, and infectious energy. The greatest living Afro-Cuban percussionist—he’s played with the likes of Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen and Wynton Marsalis—Martinez transforms every performance into a celebration of dance, heritage, and improvisation. His ensemble turns rhythm into pure joy, making it impossible to sit still. A Festival favorite, this is an evening of unforgettable music, irresistible grooves, and sheer celebration—one of Spoleto’s most thrilling acts.

Percussionist

Pedrito Martinez

Events

Upcoming events

1 - 5 Jun, 2026

Jazz Combo Camp: Camp Coltrane · Charleston Jazz

Jun 3, 2026

Pedrito Martinez Group · Spoleto Festival USA

Past events

Sep 29, 2024

Pedrito Martinez Group · Monterey Jazz Festival

Jun 15, 2024

Carnegie Hall Citywide: The Pedrito Martinez Group · Carnegie Hall

About

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