Alfredo Rodriguez & Pedrito Martinez

Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, Rodriguez’s world was confined by the numerous restrictions imposed by his
country. With limited options, his parents enrolled him in a classical conservatory, but he was quickly shut down by
his first teacher who declared him devoid of talent. Despite pushback, his love for piano grew so strong that he
wasn’t even deterred by not having a piano to practice on at home; instead, he painted piano keys on his parents'
dinner table so he could run his scales.
In 2006, at age 19, he received an invitation to represent Cuba at the Montreux Jazz Festival (MJF) in the
International Solo Piano Competition. After applying and auditioning as a composer, alongside twelve of the top
pianists in the world, he was accepted and made his way to Switzerland, where he ended up being invited to
festival founder Claude Nobs’ chalet to play for the guests, one of whom happened to be legendary producer
Quincy Jones. Upon Jones’ return to Los Angeles, he couldn’t get Alfredo out of his mind. He called his VP, Adam
Fell, and explained that Alfredo was one of the best pianists he had ever seen and they needed to work with him.
Little did they know, Alfredo had only received permission to travel to Switzerland to play in the competition (as it
was difficult for Cubans to obtain a travel visa), and also learned it would be illegal to work with him due to the
Cuban embargo.
Cubans were not allowed to work in the U.S., and could only arrive at U.S. border stations to seek political
asylum—meaning that Alfredo would have to relinquish his Cuban citizenship and jeopardize his ability to return
home until he obtained a green card. After a year and a half of contemplating, he mustered up the courage and
made the difficult decision to leave his family behind for a country that could offer him the platform he needed to
share the broader message of his music with more people.
It’s evident the journey was worth it because not only has Alfredo earned frequent appearances on prestigious
stages around the world such as the Playboy Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Jazz in Marciac, Umbria Jazz and

Jazz A Vienne, but additionally, Rodriguez was nominated for a Grammy® in the category of “Best Arrangement,
Instrumental or A Cappella,” for the track “Guantanamera,” from his album, The Invasion Parade. Additionally,
during his first tour in China, Rodriguez was asked to work with Tan Dun, Siedah Garrett, and Quincy Jones to
compose the English version of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo theme song, becoming the first non-Chinese artist
to be bestowed this honor. He’s also been featured over the years by All Things Considered, Downbeat, The New
York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Wall Street Journal among many others, and performed for NPR Music’s Tiny
Desk Concert.
Rodriguez continues to share his music along with his impactful message of perseverance and cross culturalization
on an international tour, while sharing a variety of viral social media videos in which he plays well-known
compositions in a Cuban timba style.

Pedrito Martinez…is a source of rhythmic delight and inspiration… an incomparable performer… a traditional Afro-Cuban music superstar – The New York Times

Pedro Pablo “Pedrito” Martínez was born in Havana, Cuba, Sept 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.

Since settling in New York City in the fall of 1998, Pedrito has recorded or performed with, Paul Simon, Wynton Marsalis, Paquito D’Rivera, Bruce Springsteen, Ruben Blades, Eddie Palmieri, Dave Matthews, and Sting, and has contributed to over 75 albums.

A consummate master of Afro-Cuban folkloric music and the batá drum he is also the world’s first-call rumbero—playing, singing, and dancing with dozens of Cuban rumba groups.

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

Mr. Martínez’s career as a leader began in 2005 with the formation in NYC of the The Pedrito Martínez Group. He has recorded four solo albums, the first one of which was nominated for a Grammy in 2013 and was chosen among NPR’s Favorite Albums for 2013 and The Boston Globe Critics Top Ten Albums of the same year.

In February of 2019, Pedrito and Cuban pianist, Alfredo Rodriguez, released a duo album called Duologue to critical acclaim. Quincy Jones was executive producer.

In July 2019 Pedrito and Eric Clapton recorded a newly arranged version of Clapton’s song, “My Father’s Eyes,” for a Pedrito Martínez album, called Acertijos (Riddles), which was released in early 2021. The two performed the song together on Clapton’s Crossroads Festival in Dallas Texas.

Pedrito was involved through 2020 in streamed projects including, Play On for CBS TV with Jon Batiste, and the NEA Awards at SF Jazz. And he was named, for the seventh time in none years, Jazz Percussionist of the Year, by the Jazz Journalists Association.

In 2021, Pedrito recorded two singles and has performed, with Cuban superstar, Camila Cabello. He was awarded Percussionist of The Year by JazzTimes Magazine Critics Poll. A 2021 album called Acertijos (Riddles), featuring primarily original compositions, and special guests, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Eric Clapton, and Issac Delgado, was nominated for a Latin Grammy, for Best Contemporary Tropical Album of 2021.

Highlights for 2022 have so far been the release of a new single called “El Jicamo Me Hablo,” being part of International Jazz Day 2022, again being named Jazz Percussionist of The Year, by Jazz Journalists Association, a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall (Zankel), and getting back to touring with his quintet!

Pedrito Martínez uses LP Percussion, A. Zildjian Cymbals, DW Drums, Vic Firth Sticks, Remo drumheads, Earthworks mics and Zoom Recorders