Album Notes

Willie Martinez has been a familiar face in New York City's eclectic music scene for well over twenty years. As well as being a much sought after drummer, percussionist and vocalist, he is also a gifted arranger and composer.

He has imparted his unique vocal and rhythmic styling upon groups performing everything from Gothic Funk at the quintessentially New York rock club CBGB's to Afro Cuban Jazz on the grand stage of the prestigious Carnegie Hall. He has performed and recorded with artists as varied as the classic Cuban arranger, composer, and bandleader Chico O'Farrill, to legendary Jazz pianist George Cables, to contemporary Pop divas Jewel, Faith Hill, and Brandy.

His performances have been documented on television, video and CD, sharing the stage with a wide variety of artists representing a Who's Who in the American music industry, including Latin legends Charlie Palmieri, Ray Santos, Paquito D'Rivera, and Bebo Valdes; Jazz greats T.K. Blues, Danny Mixon, Steve Turre, Benny Powell, and Arthur Blythe; and pop veterans Leon Pendarvis, Barry Eastmond, Jerry Barnes, and Ira Siegel.

Mr. Martinez performs regularly with his group La Familia Sextet; an ensemble that features his original compositions and arrangements. The sextet features Willie on drums and vocals, Renato Thoms on congas and percussion, Misha Tsiganov on piano, Jennifer Vincent on bass, Max Schweiger on baritone sax & flute, and J. Walter Hawkes on trombone.

This ensemble represents the very best in New York style Latin jazz. The baritone sax and trombone frontline is a unique treatment in this genre, and combined with the infectious rhythm section, smokes to the very last note.

Their new recording FAMILY has proven to be a triumphant maiden voyage. It is a perfect example of how the marriage of Afro-Caribbean rhythm and the harmonic structure and improvisational nature of jazz continues to remain fresh, exhilarating and timeless.

Mr. Martinez can also be heard with the Bronx Horns, led by longtime Tito Puente saxophonist Mitch Frohman; on "Back with Sweet Passion", the most recent recording of flautist Andrea Brachfeld, where he is featured on drums and vocals; on "Pa'lante", the highly acclaimed Latin jazz CD by Palmetto recording artist, trumpeter Ray Vega; and on "Steppin' with T.P.", the latest CD by piano virtuoso Hilton Ruíz.

He is also the musical director of percussionist Norman Hedman's tropical jazz ensemble Tropique, and can be heard on their latest recording "Garden of Forbidden Fruit" on Power Light Records.

He resides in Brooklyn, New York with his wife Aricka and their two children.