Pedro Pablo “Pedrito” Martinez was born in Havana, Cuba, Sept 12, 1973. He began his musical career at the age of 11, performing as vocalist and percussionist with such Cuban legends as Tata Guines and Munequitos de Matanzas. He was brought to Canada in 1998, by Jane Bunnett, to tour with her group, Spirits of Havana. His decision to remain in North America to pursue his career, proved to be an auspicious one when, two years later, the annual Thelonious Monk Institute Competition showcased Afro-Latin Hand Drumming for the first time ever. Pedro entered and won first place.

Since settling in New York City in 2,000, Pedrito has performed, recorded, and/or toured with Paquito D’Rivera; Brian Lynch; Steve Turre; Me’shell Ndege’Ocello; Eddie Palmieri; Bill Summers and Los Hombres Calientes; Arturo “Chico” O’Farrill; Stefon Harris; Bebo Valdés; Cassandra Wilson; Joe Lovano, and Sting, (for his rainforest benefit, with Elton John and Bruce Springsteen). Pedro was also featured in 2,000, in the documentary film on Cuban music, Calle 54.

Mr. Martínez 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 opening for the Dave Matthews Band, Willie Nelson and Ray Charles.

Pedrito has also lent his talents to over one hundred records, including albums by Paquito d’Rivera, Issac Delgado, Eliane Elias, Stefon Harris, Steve Turre, Eddie Palmieri, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Conrad Herwig , Edie Brickell and many others. These include six records that have been Grammy® nominated and one, a collaboration between Eddie Palmieri and Brian Lynch, called “Simpatico”, that was awarded a Grammy®.


The Pedrito Martinez Group has its roots planted firmly in the Afro-Cuban rumba tradition and in the bata rhythms and vocal chants of the music of Yoruba and Santeria. With its formation in 2008, the group has developed into an extraordinarily tight and musically creative unit. With a home base gig in Midtown Manhattan the group has built a fan base that includes Steve Gadd, Dave Weckel, Anton Fig, Steve Jordan Taj Mahal, John Scofield, Eric Clapton, Roger Waters, Zigaboo Modeliste, Wynton Marsalis, Derek Trucks, and Herlin Riley.

Members include Padro "Pedrito" Martinez, from Havana, on percussion and vocals; percussionist, Jhair Sala, from Lima, Peru; electric bassist, Alvaro Benavides, from Caracas, Venezuela; and keyboard player Edgar Pantoja-Aleman, from Santiago de Cuba.

Despite his relatively tender age, Cuban-born Pedrito Martinez, has earned his place in the history of his instrument and contemporary Afro-Cuban performance. Some say his chops and unique charisma place him above the rest. Indeed, when Pedrito and his group (PMG) start a set at their steady gig in Manhattan, he immediately puts out a pipeline. People respond, dance, and the heat grows with the rapport. Adding to the mystique, celebrities drop by to take the temperature. To date, the list includes Steve Gadd, Eric Clapton, John Scofield, Roger Waters, and Steve Winwood. They tweak to the way Pedrito comes on like Esperanza Spalding, totally conversant on his instrument and free to deliver infectious lead vocals over a locked-down yet floating groove. As if sucking up steam from the NYC street grids, sometimes it seems that Pedrito is speaking a new rap over a montuno. Mainstream media is noticing, witness features in The New Yorker and The Wall Street Journal.



Success first came to Pedrito with his band Yerba Buena. His discography has topped the 100-mark and includes such stellar names as Paquito d’Rivera, Steve Turre, Eliane Elias, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Edie Brickell, and Eddie Palmieri. To boot, Pedrito Martinez has appeared with Sting and Elton John at the rainforest concert.