August 24 2022 — Charlotte, NC — JazzArts Charlotte announces the return of award-winning Afro-Cuban Jazz star Pedrito Martinez to Charlotte to kick off their Hispanic Heritage Month themed programming. Martinez and his powerhouse ensemble bring the vibrant sounds of Cuba to the JAZZ ROOM as well as offer a FREE educational music workshop to middle and high school students. This is a rare opportunity for Charlotte to experience the rich traditions of Cuban music from Havana-born Latin Jazz superstar Pedrito Martinez, who grew up in the midst of dance-worthy grooves of rumba and other treasured Cuban folkloric traditions.
The JAZZ ROOM performances will be held Friday and Saturday, September 2-3, at the Stage Door Theater in uptown Charlotte. Tickets available at www.theblumenthalarts.org.
The music workshop, led by Pedrito Martinez, will be held Saturday September 3rd 11pm-1pm at the Stage Door Theater. All middle and high school student musicians are encouraged to participate. This session is ideal for all instruments and all levels from beginner to advanced. Students are encouraged to bring their instruments, as this is an applied workshop experience. The workshop is FREE. With space limited, registration is required. Go to www.thejazzarts.org/events to register.
Cuban-born percussionist Pedrito Martinez is an acclaimed musician who plays a dynamic mix of traditional Cuban rumba and Afro-Latin jazz. Since settling in New York City in the fall of 1998, Pedrito has recorded or performed with Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon, Paquito D’Rivera, Chucho Valdez, Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Palmieri, Dave Matthews, and more, and has contributed to well over 100 albums. A consummate master of Afro-Cuban folkloric music and the batá drum, Pedrito was a founding member of the highly successful Yerba Buena. His work as band leader has led to several Grammy Award nominations. In May, he released his newest single, “El Jicamo Me Hablo".
“JazzArts Charlotte is excited to present such a thrilling master musician to the Charlotte community with a balance of culturally rich performance and education. It is a key component of our mission to educate as well as entertain, all while bringing the community together,” says Lonnie Davis, President of JazzArts Charlotte. “Leading into Hispanic Heritage Month is a great opportunity to expand excitement around this rich music tradition.”
Also coinciding with Hispanic Heritage Month, with the start of the Fall school year, the NEW Nuestro Tiempo Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble season begins. This is a unique program for middle and high school students to study a facet of jazz that combines the traditional components of jazz with the Latin Jazz genre. The workshop is free for all students, with scholarships made possible by program sponsors, Blue Cross Blue Shield NC. “With partnerships such as this one, this special program gives life to our commitment of ensuring access to the arts and building bridges through jazz music.” Says Lonnie Davis. For information and to register for an audition, go to www.thejazzarts.org/education.
###
About JazzArts Charlotte
JazzArts Charlotte is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the promotion, education, preservation of jazz and related art forms in the greater Charlotte region. Started in 2009, the organization is comprised of arts patrons, educators, performing jazz artists, business leaders, and volunteers. Their mission focuses on three program development areas: Jazz Education, Performance, and Musician Support. These three elements were established to help nurture a future audience and preserve the tradition of this great American Art Form, Jazz. For more information, visit www.thejazzarts.org, and follow JazzArts Charlotte on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter.