By Jorge Casuso
April 19, 2016 -- In Cuba, Afro-Cuban
drumming is not only a key feature the island's influential dance music,
it's an intricate part of its religious rituals.
On Saturday, April 23, Pedrito Martinez, a leading practitioner of the
rumba, as well as the batá rhythms used in the Afro-Cuban religion
Santeria, will bring his infectious drumming to the Eli and Edythe Broad
Stage at Santa Monica College.
The Grammy-nominated Pedrito Martinez Group (PMG) will give one performance
starting at 7:30 p.m.
"Equally at home in popular music," organizers said, "his
perfectly intoned tenor voice, seamlessly combines popular and folkloric
influences, infectious energy, humor, charisma and dance moves that make
him as formidable a front man as he is a percussionist."
Martinez is considered the world's premier rumbero and has played, sang
and danced with dozens of groups, event organizers said. He drumming can
be heard on more than 100 recordings.
The Havana native also has been featured in several films, including
"Calle 54" released in 2000, which showcases major Latin muusic
stars, and "Chico and Rita," an animated romantic films released
in 2010.
A babalawo, or Yoruba priest, Martinez is also considered a master of
the batá, a double-headed drum shaped like an hourglass used in
Santeria religious ceremonies.
"He plays the monumentally complex 'Oru seco' exquisitely on each
drum, or on all three at once," organizers said, referring to the
drumming without vocals that includes the 23 standard rhythms for each
of the Afro-Cuban gods in the Yoruba religion.
Martinez moved to the U.S. in the late 1990s after performing in Canada.
He would quickly impress practitioners and connoisseurs of Afro-Cuban
music and become a major attraction on the local circuit.
The New Jersey resident became a staple at Guantanamera in Manhattan,
a small diner club that is a popular hangout for music stars from different
genres. One musician who quickly became a fan is Derek Trucks, a guitarist
for the Allman Brothers and Eric Clapton bands.
“Over the last six to eight years, I’ve taken every band
I’ve been with to see him, because his musicality is just staggering,”
Trucks told the New York Times in 2013. “After Allmans’ rehearsals,
three or four of us will head there, and it’s funny how many other
musicians you’ll see.
"You know that everybody is going to go through New York, so you
say ‘You’ve got to see this guy, you’ve got to go to
Guantanamera and see Pedrito whipping it.'"
Martinez and his group have appeared at jazz music's most prestigious
venues, including Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Apollo Theater, the Newport
Jazz Festival, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the Montreal
Jazz Festival and the Montreux Jazz Fest.
PMG’s second album, “Habana Dreams”, recorded largely,
in Cuba last October, will be released in June 10, 2016.
Jazz and Blues at The Broad Stage made possible by a gift from Richard
and Lisa Kendall. Tickets priced from $65 to $105 are available online
at www.thebroadstage.com and by calling 310-434-3200.
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