New York’s most coveted Cuban percussionist is bringing an incredible breath of fresh air to Latin jazz.
For a long time, this percussionist-singer, who grew up with Batá drums and the santeria cults of Havana, had a blast in the shadow of Bruce Springsteen, Meshell Ndegeocello or Sting. And then, years of residency in a Manhattan diner transformed him into the charismatic leader of a fusion quartet.
And if he remains attached to the Afro-Cuban dances and Yoruba prayers that built him, Pedrito Martinez sprinkles them with all the soul, pop and rock sounds of New York.
An intoxicating Afro-Cuban cocktail.