There’s a joy to Pedrito Martinez’s stage presence. The legendary Afro-Cuban percussionist surrounds himself with four congas, a cymbal and a high hat that he slaps with his hands. He has a cajon box drum between his legs. Like an octopus, he flawlessly works the drums, all while radiating a wide, infectious smile. With a clear-toned tenor voice, Martinez’s ability to improvise verses like a seasoned sonero (singer) uplifts audiences with pure organic energy that is both spiritual and street-savvy. The Grammy-nominated maestro is a must-see — and will perform for free at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens Festival on Saturday, May 4.
Martinez’s musical journey begins in the Cuban streets of old Havana and the African-rich neighborhood of Cayo Hueso. From a musical family, he absorbed the traditional drumming styles of Rumba and Santeria that he heard as a child in his home in the parks, sacred spaces and the famed “Callejon de Hamel,” a narrow alley known for its Sunday drumming and dance sessions.
“I cannot forget where I came from,” said Martinez. “As a conguero, I was greatly inspired by the greats like Mongo Santamaria, Armando Peraza, Carlos ‘Patato’ Valdes, Candido Camero and Tata Güines, who are my heroes.”
Martinez, a modern-day innovator of the congas, adds his name to the historic legacy of Cuban jazz pioneers like Chano Pozo, Mario Bauza, Miguelito Valdes, and Juan Formell — all whom came from Cayo Hueso. “I feel it’s important to advance the sound of the congas by drawing from the way that the new generation is playing the drums, [while] also being respectful to the old styles of the masters to keep the tradition warm and powerful.”
Martinez’s inventive approaches to the drum are on full display in NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, where the Pedrito Martinez Group performed in 2019. The YouTube video shows not only his drumming and vocal virtuosity but also how he’s transformed the role of the modern-day percussionist.
“I never had the opportunity to go to music school, so I learned music in the streets,” said Martinez. “In the folkloric world, it is essential that you sing, play, and dance … I grew up doing those three things almost accidentally, but it all came naturally.”
Musically, Martinez has been able to fit his congas into a variety of settings. “I’ve been blessed to play many genres of music, and every time it’s a learning experience,” said Martinez, who’s played shows with Jon Batiste, Camila Cabello, Elton John, Sting and Eric Clapton. “These are genius musicians, so even if you think you’ve learned their music, it’s always unpredictable.”
Martinez founded the Pedrito Martinez Group as a quartet in 2005 and began a residency in New York City at Guantanamera, a restaurant in Midtown Manhattan. “It was something unexpected that happened almost accidentally again when the owner asked me to play there,” said Martinez. “I started playing the music that I loved from Cuba like “Que Palo” by Juan Formell y Los Van Van … We didn’t even rehearse. We just felt the music … After a year I started seeing these famous musicians coming to see us, so I told the band, ‘I think we’re doing something good so let’s take it serious and make a record.’”
The Pedrito Martinez Group released its first recording for the Motema Record label in 2013. Immediately, acclaim began to pour in for this young percussionist turning the Latin music world upside down with incredible musical talents and percussive powers. “To see these famous faces in this little club like Quincy Jones, Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Steve Gadd, Wynton Marsalis, and others that I admire so much it was a great opportunity,” said Martinez. “That restaurant gig opened a lot of doors for me. It was magical.”
Martinez’s star has only ascended since then. His most recent album “Acertijos” (Riddles), which featured greats like Eric Clapton, Gilberto Santa Rosa, and Issac Delgado, was nominated for a Latin Grammy.
Now, Martinez is emerging as a gifted songwriter with a new band, featuring Ahmed Alom (Keys/Vocals), Manny Marquez (Percussion/Vocals), Sebastian Natal (Bass/Vocals), Xito Lovell (Trombone/Vocals) and Martinez on percussion and lead vocals. Stepping forward as a headliner, this gifted musician is a success story with a bright future ahead as a leading figure in music that is already defying the category.
“I’m currently working on a new album, and I’ll be featuring unreleased music at my concert at the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival,” said Martinez. “I will also be playing music from “Acertijos” because I want to showcase my original music and surprise the audience.”
Ahead of his upcoming show, Martinez wanted to send a message “en español” to his San Franciscan fans who speak Spanish:
“Pedrito Martinez por aqui, les mando un cariño grandísimo y mucho amor. Los espero porque me da inmenso placer poder compartir mi música con ustedes y estamos ‘super excited’ para romper allí y encender Yerba Buena.”