Community Music Center: CMC Sessions: Rhythmic and Harmonic Structures of Traditional Cuban Music with Tony Martinez and Erick Peralta

Get in the groove with piano faculty Tony Martinez and dive into the elements of the main currents of traditional Cuban music. This free workshop will demystify theoretical and rhythmic elements of popular Cuban styles, such as El Son, Guaracha, Cha Cha Cha, Afro Rhumba, and some elements of Afro-Cuban religious music through performance demonstrations and hands-on experience. Participants will learn to play rhythmic patterns together through the use of traditional latin percussion.

Some percussion instruments will be provided for playing along, but participants are welcomed to bring their own.

Tony Martinez belongs to that generation of Cuban musicians formed at the end of the 20th century, under the rigorous school of Cuban classical music. Although classically trained, he was soon inclined to learn the rhythms of jazz, to which he has dedicated the last decade, combining these styles with traditional Cuban rhythms.

Erick Peralta is a versatile musician with a special appreciation for all styles of music. From an early age, he was exposed to various musics thanks to his father, such as pop music, Afro-Cuban, as well as his native Peruvian music. Educated from 6 years old, he began playing professionally at age 15, branching out in the San Francisco Bay Area with various jazz, rock, and latin groups. A graduate from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Erick currently resides in San Francisco, CA, performing and teaching. Past notable performances include having worked with multi Grammy winners Alejandro Sanz, Luis Enrique, and Susana Baca; as well has worked with artists such as Pedrito Martinez, Calixto Oviedo, Juan Medrano “Cotito”, John Santos, Michael Carabello, Bayonics, and many more. Erick has taken part performing in festivals and venues, such as: the Latin Grammy Awards, The Fillmore, the Blue Note Napa, the Independent, SF JAZZ, The Regency Ball Room, Boston Convention Center, the Beantown Jazz Festival,and more. The young pianist leads his own jazz quartet, as well as his Afro-Cuban group, Conjunto Alta. erickperalta.com