Michel Camilo was born in the Dominican Republic. He graduated from the National Conservatory with a degree of Professorship in Music and at the age of 16 became the youngest member of the National Symphony Orchestra. He moved to New York in 1979 to continue his studies at Mannes and Juilliard School of Music. Since his 1985 Carnegie Hall debut he has become a prominent figure performing regularly at festivals and concert venues throughout the United States, Europe, Japan, Asia, Middle East, South America and the Caribbean. His extensive discography has been recognized with a Grammy, an Emmy, and four Latin Grammy awards; and he is the recipient of the 2019 Klavier Festival Ruhr’s Festival Prize. Highlights include serving as Jazz Creative Director Chair for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Co-Artistic Director of the 1st Latin-Caribbean Music Festival at the Kennedy Center where he premiered his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1, appointed as Artist in Residence at the Vienna Konzerthaus, as well as Music Director of the Heineken Jazz Festival (Dominican Republic). His Rhapsody for Two Pianos and Orchestra (commissioned by the Philharmonia Orchestra) was premiered by Katia & Marielle Labèque at Royal Festival Hall. In 2009, Mr. Camilo premiered his Concerto for Piano & Orchestra No. 2 - Tenerife (commissioned by the Tenerife Auditorium) with the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra. And in 2017, his Concerto for Jazz Trio & Orchestra, commissioned by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Leonard Slatkin at Orchestra Hall. He is featured in two award-winning music documentary films: Calle 54 (2001) and Playing Lecuona (2015), and has received grants from Meet the Composer foundation and the New York State Council for the Arts. Mr. Camilo’s honors include Honorary Doctorates from Berklee College of Music (Boston), Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Ureña, UTESA University of Santiago, as well as an Honorary Professorship and Honorary Doctorate from his Alma Mater, Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD), Dominican Republic. He is a recipient of the Crystal Apple from the Mayor of the City of New York. The Dominican Government has awarded him its highest civilian honors: Silver Great Cross of the Order of Duarte, Sánchez & Mella, Cultural Personality award, and Knight of the Heraldic Order of Christopher Columbus.

Pedrito Martinez…is a source of rhythmic delight and inspiration… an incomparable performer… a traditional Afro-Cuban music superstar – The New York Times Pedro Pablo “Pedrito” Martínez was born in Havana, Cuba, Sept 12, 1973 in the Cayo Hueso neighborhood, where rumba is played all day long, and began his musical career at the age of 11, with a foundation in the rumba and Afro Cuban Yoruba traditions. Since settling in New York City in the fall of 1998, Pedrito has recorded or performed with, Paul Simon, Wynton Marsalis, Paquito D’Rivera, Bruce Springsteen, Ruben Blades, Eddie Palmieri, Dave Matthews, and Sting, and has contributed to over 75 albums. A consummate master of Afro-Cuban folkloric music and the batá drum he is also the world’s first-call rumbero—playing, singing, and dancing with dozens of Cuban rumba groups. Pedrito was a founding member of the highly successful, Afro-Cuban/Afro-Beat band, Yerba Buena, with which he recorded two albums and toured the world in the mid-to late-90’s. Mr. Martínez’s career as a leader began in 2005 with the formation in NYC of the The Pedrito Martínez Group. He has recorded four solo albums, the first one of which was nominated for a Grammy in 2013 and was chosen among NPR’s Favorite Albums for 2013 and The Boston Globe Critics Top Ten Albums of the same year. In February of 2019, Pedrito and Cuban pianist, Alfredo Rodriguez, released a duo album called Duologue to critical acclaim. Quincy Jones was executive producer. In July 2019 Pedrito and Eric Clapton recorded a newly arranged version of Clapton’s song, “My Father’s Eyes,” for a Pedrito Martínez album, called Acertijos (Riddles), which was released in early 2021. The two performed the song together on Clapton’s Crossroads Festival in Dallas Texas. Pedrito was involved through 2020 in streamed projects including, Play On for CBS TV with Jon Batiste, and the NEA Awards at SF Jazz. And he was named, for the seventh time in none years, Jazz Percussionist of the Year, by the Jazz Journalists Association. In 2021, Pedrito recorded two singles and has performed, with Cuban superstar, Camila Cabello. He was awarded Percussionist of The Year by JazzTimes Magazine Critics Poll. A 2021 album called Acertijos (Riddles), featuring primarily original compositions, and special guests, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Eric Clapton, and Issac Delgado, was nominated for a Latin Grammy, for Best Contemporary Tropical Album of 2021. Highlights for 2022 have so far been the release of a new single called “El Jicamo Me Hablo,” being part of International Jazz Day 2022, again being named Jazz Percussionist of The Year, by Jazz Journalists Association, a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall (Zankel), and getting back to touring with his quintet! Pedrito Martínez uses LP Percussion, A. Zildjian Cymbals, DW Drums, Vic Firth Sticks, Remo drumheads, Earthworks mics and Zoom Recorders

Ricardo “Ricky” Rodríguez was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where he also started his music studies. He received his Bachelor of Music in Classical Bass performance under the tutelage of professors Federico Silva and Jose García at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico in 2004. Having mastered classical music, Ricky moved to New York City to experiment and increase his musical development in different musical style: Jazz. He took private lessons with two of his bass heroes, Larry Grenadier and Scott Colley. Ricky has performed over the years with many of the giants in Latin Jazz, including performances with legendary jazz icons such as: Ray Barretto, Endel Dueño, Giovanni Hidalgo, Jerry González, Chuchito Valdés, Tony Lujan, Erik Figueroa trio, Mandy Visoso and his orchestra, as well as memorable performances with Branford Marsalis, Danilo Pérez, David Sánchez, and Ignacio Berroa. In 2006, Ricky represented the United States alongside 150 groups that participated in a world tour known as "The Jazz Ambassadors," as part of the 2006 Jazz at Lincoln Center American Music Abroad “The Rhythm Road Program.” Ricky has been performing and recording with internationally distinguished musicians such as: David Sánchez Quartet, Branford Marsalis, Michele Rosewoman, Miguel Zenón Quartet, Adam Rogers, Lionel Loueke, Clarence Penn, Ignacio Berroa Quartet, Dave Samuels, Dave Schnitter, Janis Siegel, Joe Locke, Marlon Simon and the Nagual Spirit, Pedrito Martínez, Mayra Casales, the Rodríguez Brothers, Osmany Paredes Quartet, Papo Vázquez and Pirates Troubadours, Donny McCaslin trio, Luis Bonilla and Trombonilla, Paoli Mejias, Ricardo Pons and Causa Común , The Pleneros de la 21, The Samuel Torres Band , Cristos Rafalides and the Manhattan Vibes, Ximo Tebar and the four lights and the Chico O' Farril Afro-Cuban Big Band and Arturo O' Farrill and The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Dafnis Prieto and Michel Camilo, among many others. Ricky has performed around the world at the most important Jazz Festivals in France, Italy, Russia, Africa, London, Almaty, Israel, South America, Turkey, Budapest and United States. He is currently touring and working with Michel Camilo Trio, Sextet and Big Band, David Sánchez Group, Alfredo Rodriguez Trio, Dafnis Prieto Quartet and Big Band, Carolina Calvache Group, Helen Sung Band, The Saturday Night Live Band, and The Global Arts Cultural Literacy & Heritage from Symphony Space. His own solo album, Ricky Rodríguez Group "Looking Beyond" is presently released by the Destiny Record Label.