THE 20TH ANNUAL NOTABLE OCCASION Will Come to Carnegie Hall

On Thursday, June 11 at 6:30 p.m., Nicola and Beatrice Bulgari will host the Carnegie Hall Notables—a membership program for music enthusiasts in their 20s and 30s—for the 20th Annual Notable Occasion. This private performance in Zankel Hall for Carnegie Hall Notables and special guests will feature Cuban-born and New York-based bandleader, vocalist, composer, and percussion virtuoso Pedrito Martinez. Following the concert, Notables will gather at Redeye Grill for a cocktail reception. The 20th Annual Notable Occasion is generously underwritten by Nicola and Beatrice Bulgari.

The 20th Annual Notable Occasion is one of a series of special events offered each season for Carnegie Hall Notables members. The Carnegie Hall Notables support the education and social impact programs of Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute (WMI) and celebrate music through intimate discussions, concerts, cocktail parties, and more. WMI offers a wide range of visionary music education and social impact programs in the state-of-the-art Resnick Education Wing, classrooms, and in a variety of community settings, and also provides free music education resources to orchestras and schools around the world. The programs are designed to introduce people to the power of music; train and support aspiring young artists and explore inventive ways the music can play a meaningful role in people's lives.

Pedro Pablo “Pedrito” Martinez is a master drummer, who specializes in congas and the Yoruba batá drums of Cuba, but he's also a compelling vocalist and an elegant dancer. Heir to a tradition of conguero bandleaders that includes Chano Pozo and Mongo Santamaría, he's revolutionized modern conga style with his inventive approach and phenomenal performance ability.

Pedrito was born in the legendary musical neighborhood of Havana Cayo Hueso in 1973. He began his musical career there, singing at rumbas and ceremonies at the age of 11, and learning from mentors that included Román Díaz, Pancho Quinto, and Felipe “Pupy” Insua. Later he worked with various folk groups in Havana, including Yoruba Andabo and Clave y Guaguancó.

After relocating to New York in 1998, he immediately became an in-demand percussionist and singer. As an akpwon (ceremonial singer) and batalero (ceremonial drummer) from the time of his arrival, he played bembés (festive ceremonies in the Yoruba religion) in the New York area and internationally.

As a collaborator and sideman, he's performed and recorded with a wide-spanning range of artists including Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, Camila Cabello, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Batiste, Elton John, Dave Matthews, Sting, Wynton Marsalis, Issac Delgado, Rubén Blades, Chucho Valdés, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Angélique Kidjo, Eddie Palmieri, and Gilberto Santa Rosa. He appeared in the classic Latin jazz documentary Calle 54 (2000), and was a co-founder, with Andrés Levin, of the band Yerba Buena in 2003, appearing on two albums by that group.