{"id":60384,"date":"2024-04-27T10:42:35","date_gmt":"2024-04-27T17:42:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eltecolote.org\/content\/?p=60384"},"modified":"2024-05-02T12:08:05","modified_gmt":"2024-05-02T19:08:05","slug":"pedrito-martinez-sf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eltecolote.org\/content\/en\/pedrito-martinez-sf\/","title":{"rendered":"Pedrito Martinez, Afro-Cuban percussion legend, to perform in S.F."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There\u2019s a joy to Pedrito Martinez\u2019s 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\u2019s 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 \u2014 and will perform for free at San Francisco\u2019s Yerba Buena Gardens Festival on Saturday, May 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Martinez\u2019s 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 \u201cCallejon de Hamel,\u201d a narrow alley known for its Sunday drumming and dance sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI cannot forget where I came from,\u201d said Martinez. \u201cAs a conguero, I was greatly inspired by the greats like Mongo Santamaria, Armando Peraza, Carlos \u2018Patato\u2019 Valdes, Candido Camero and Tata G\u00fcines, who are my heroes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pedrito Martinez performs at SFJAZZ in 2022 in San Francisco, Calif. Photo: Jesse \u201cChuy\u201d Varela<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2014 all whom came from Cayo Hueso. \u201cI feel it\u2019s 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.\u201d   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Martinez’s inventive approaches to the drum are on full display in NPR\u2019s 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\u2019s transformed the role of the modern-day percussionist.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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