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Pedrito Martinez Group, Live In Concert: Newport Jazz 2012

Vocalist and conguero Pedrito Martinez (center) performs with bassist Alvaro Benavides (right) at the 2012 Newport Jazz Festival.
Erik Jacobs for NPR
Vocalist and conguero Pedrito Martinez (center) performs with bassist Alvaro Benavides (right) at the 2012 Newport Jazz Festival.

Since he came over from Cuba around the turn of the century, the phenomenally talented percussionist Pedrito Martinez has become the conguero of choice for scores of bands. And most weeks in New York City, you can see him with his own, gigging several nights a week at a Cuban restaurant south of Central Park. The Pedrito Martinez Group places him at the congas and behind a microphone, where he exhibits a certain natural charisma. And though we haven't yet heard a studio album from the band, we already know that it goes way beyond what you'd think of Afro-Cuban music and/or jazz.

Set List

  • "Ay Amor" (David Calzado)
  • "Memorias" (Carlos Varela)
  • "Que Palo" (Juan Formell)
  • "La Luna" (Tirso Duarte)
  • Personnel

  • Pedrito Martinez, bata/congas/cajon/vocals
  • Jhair Sala, bongos/bell/vocals
  • Alvaro Benavides, electric bass
  • Araicne Trujillo, keyboards/vocals
  • Copyright 2012 GBH

    Patrick Jarenwattananon