Afro-Cuban often serves as a catchall, a placeholder to describe any advertently Latin or particularly rhythmic sound. Pedrito Martinez, as it turns out, is exactly who the term exists for. Born into Havana’s Cayo Hueso neighborhood, he adopted the West African bata drum in service of the conga and rumba rhythms churning throughout the city’s streets. Since relocating to New York, he’s expanded even beyond that blend, working his percussion touch into the bands of Paul Simon, Eddie Palmieri and even Bruce Springsteen. Since striking out on his own with the Pedrito Martinez Group, he’s further pushed the limits of the Afro-Cuban sound, blending jazz, blues, flamenco and a whole list of other styles that would make NPR commentators swoon. Now the percussionist, bandleader and occasional vocalist will bring his Grammy-nominated group to the the Guadalupe’s stage on Saturday, playing behind their excellent sophomore release Havana Dreams from earlier this year. $19-$79, 7:30pm Sat, Guadalupe Theater, 1301 Guadalupe St., (210) 226-2891, artssa.org.
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