Pedro “Pedrito” Martinez was born in Havana and has been singing and drumming professionally starting in his early teens.

Since making the United States his home, he was the first Afro-Cuban hand drummer to take first place at the Thelonious Monk Competition, the most prestigious jazz competition in the world. His skill and style have graced projects by Paquito D’Rivera and Eddie Palmieri, and he was a central figure in New York’s seminal band Yerba Buena.

Now with his own group, Martinez and his fellow musicians have perfected the ability to sense each other’s next musical move, thanks to a midtown Manhattan standing gig that has wowed Eric Clapton, Roger Waters, and other musical movers and shakers.

Festival line-Up

• Chamber Music: Ballaké Sissoko & Vincent Segal (U.S. debut)
• Creole Choir of Cuba
• Diblo Dibala
• Kaumakaiwa Kanaka’ole (NYC solo debut)
• La-33
• Novalima
• Orquestra Contemporânea de Olinda
• Pedrito Martinez Group
• RAM
• Red Baraat
• Rhythm of Rajasthan
• Yoro Ndiaye (U.S. debut)

Recordings available:

• In North America: Island Life, Follow Me, President Alien
• In Europe: Island Life, Follow Me, President Alien

The one-night festival includes three U.S. debuts and one New York debut. Tickets are $35 if purchased by November 30, $40 thereafter, including at the door. ($35 for members of World Music Institute) (www.ticketmaster.com or by phone through World Music Institute box office: 212-545-7536).

globalFEST 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011 at Webster Hall
125 E 11th St., New York, NY
between 3rd and 4th avenues