Pedrito Martinez Group

Pedrito Martinez Group

Feb. 20, 2019 | Felix Contreras — Something happens when you get a chance to see Afro-Cuban percussionist Pedrito Martinez perform. First of all, his smile radiates. It’s hard to imagine someone happier than he is to make music in front of people; and as we saw during his turn behind Bob Boilen’s desk, he mesmerizes with this almost otherworldly talent on congas. His hands can be a blur because they move so quickly. To the untrained eye, it’s hard to see exactly what he is doing to draw out the sounds he does from his drums. I even know a little about playing hand drums and it still doesn’t make it easier to fathom his remarkable talent.

Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Dirty Dozen Brass Band

This band has been mixing be-bop and funk for 40 years. Around this time of year, when Mardi Gras revelry is fueled by New Orleans jazz, it was so good to feel their sounds in the office.

Bon Iver-I Can’t Make you love me

Bon Iver-I Can’t Make you love me

Bon Iver’s third LP is as bold as it is beautiful. Made during a five-year period when Justin Vernon contemplated ditching the project altogether, 22, A Million perfects the sound alloyed on 2011’s Bon Iver: ethereal but direct, layered but stripped-back, as processed as EDM yet naked as a fallen branch.