MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL, PART 3

SEPTEMBER 29,2024

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY TOM EHRLICH ©

My third and final report for this years Monterey Jazz Festival will include a large number of photos of the incomparable Perdo Martinez Group who were on fire as they always are.  The two previous days the group performed in North Carolina in the evening and managed to arrive in Monterey and perform at 3:00 pm with amazing energy.

Some time in the near futrue an indepth report by Kevin Moore will be posted about this world class, outstanding group - my choice as the best group st the festival this year.

Pedrito Martinez

Master percussionist, vocalist, dancer, composer, and band leader, Pedrito Martinez revolutionized Cuban dance music by forming a quartet (now quintet) playing timba.  Pedrito learned his craft in the streets of Havana, never having the opportunity to study at a conservatory.  He is truly a musical genius with the ability to contribute to any style of music within minutes.

All of the band members are vocalists in addition to playing their respective instruments.  Most lead vocals are sung by Pedrito with all others singing coros.

Alom Ahmed

Alom Ahmed, originally from Havana, Cuba is the newest member of the band.  He excels laying down monster timbaos and exciting solos.

Manuel Marquez

Manuel Marquez is one of the top percussionsitss of his generation originally from Venezuela.

Sebastian Natal

Sebastian Natal originally from Uruguay is a multiinstrumentalist, composer, arranger and band leader.

Xito Lovell

The very talented Xito Lovell hails from Panama who plays small percussion and trombone.

There are no weak links in this quintet, all master musicians.

Pedrito Martinez

Ernesto Mazar-Kindelan and Kevin Moore

Kevin Moore of timba.com discussing timba bass playing with the great bassist Eernesto Mazar-Kindelan formally of Charanga Habanera, now residing in the California Bay Area and is a first call bassist for numerous dance and jazz bands.

Manuel Marquez

Alom Ahmed

Pedrito Martinez

Pedrito Martinez

Xito Lovell

Pedrito Martinez and Xito Lovell

Pedrito is a master rumba and salsa dancer whoi always displays his dancing skills when he performs.

Pedrito Martinez and dancer from the crowd

Pedrito Martinez

Pedrito Martinez and dancer from crowd

Manuel Marquez

Sebastian Natal

Xito Lovell

Xito Lovell

Pedrito Martinez

Sebastian Natal

Sebastian Natal

Xito Lovell

The band had a very large audience grooving and dancing to an amazing set of music.