Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, Pedrito Martinez began his musical career at the age of 11, performing as vocalist and percussionist on the Afro Cuban music scene playing with such legends as Tata Guines, Lazaro Roos, Merceditas Valdes, Pancho Quinto, Gregorio (El Goyo) Hernandez, Yoruba Andabo and the great Cuban group, Munequitos de Matanzas.

Pedrito was brought to Canada in 1998 by Jane Bunnett, a Canadian saxophone player, to tour with her group, Spirits of Havana.  At this point, Pedrito decided to remain in North America to pursue his career. This was a major turning point for Pedro both personally and musically.

Since settling in New York City in 1998, Pedrito has performed, recorded, and/or toured with Paquito d’Rivera; Brian Lynch; Orlando Ríos “Puntilla”; Steve Turre; Kip Hanrahan and his Deep Rumba project; Sting for his rainforest benefit, with Elton John and Bruce Springsteen; Me’shell Ndege’Ocello; Eddie Palmieri; Bill Summers and Los Hombres Calientes; Arturo “Chico” O’Farrill; Stefon Harris; Bebo Valdés; Dave Samuels; Steve Coleman; Cassandra Wilson; The Conga Kings (Candido Camero, Patato Valdés and Giovanni Hidalgo); Taj Mahal; John Scofield; Randy Brecker; and Dave Murray. He was also featured in the great documentary film on Cuban music, made in 2000, Calle 54.

A project that prominently featured Mr. Martínez in his element, singing, drumming, dancing, and collaborating on original material, was the highly successful, Afro-Cuban/Afro-Beat fusion band,Yerba Buena with which he recorded two albums and toured the world opening for bands including the Dave Matthews Band, Willie Nelson and Ray Charles.

Pedrito  has lent his enormous talents to perhaps one hundred records, including albums by Paquito d’Rivera, Issac Delgado, Eliane Elias, Stephan Harris, Steve Turre, Conrad Herwig and many others. These include six records that were Grammy® nominated and one, a collaboration between Eddie Palmieri and Brian Lynch, called “Simpatico”, that was awarded a Grammy®.

In 2005, Pedrito became part of an ensemble that would eventually become his own band. With a home base at a Midtown Manhattan Restaurant, called Guantanamera, they have grown into an extraordinarily tight musical, and creative unit, and have built a fan base that includes musicians like, Steve Gadd, Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Taj Mahal, John Scofield, Roger Waters, Lew Soloff, Derrick Trucks, Earth Wind & Fire, Herlin Riley, Ravi Coltrane, Dave Weckl and Will Lee.