Efrain Martinez

Efrain Martinez

Independent/Author

EFRAIN MARTINEZ, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, began his musical journey at age 13 when he began formal training on the drumset. His rapid development on the instrument allowed him to begin his professional career as a session drummer for many latin gospel and sacred music albums, most notably with singer Rena Gonzalez.

He continued his musical training under former Sammy Davis Jr. band and Mongo Santamara­a drummer Tony Sanchez. It was during this period that his interest and development in jazz took him to New York City for a year and half to work with artists like John Benitez group, Ron Affif Trio and percussionist Papo Pepa­n among many others.

Upon his return to Puerto Rico he continued his studio work and live performances with many latin pop artists including a year-long international tour with latin diva Olga Tanon. His sought-after skills and musicality led him to many important collaborations with high caliber musicians such as Steve Khan, Eddie Gomez and Jerry Gonzalez, placing him among the most respected drummers in Puerto Rico. Recent collaborations include Viento de Agua, Hip Hop artist Tego Calderon, Vico C, lounge/electronica artist MIMA, recordings with new jazz artists like saxophonist Luis Rodra­guez (Fresh Sound records), Holograma Quartet (M.A. Productions/Pollymood Records), Ricardo Pons Causa Comaºn project, Holograma quintet, and presentations in venues like the San Juan Heineken Jazz Fest, Dominican Republic Jazz Festival, Barranquilla Jazz Fest, Curacao Jazz Fest, Faot Music Fest in Mexico, National Public Radio Philadelphia (NPR), Manhattans Joes Pub and Brooklyn Theatre et al. He also has done clinics and concerts in South America with the United States Embassy Music Education Program.

NOTABLE CLINICS

¢ Percussion Day at Interamerican University in San German, Puerto Rico (2015) ¢ XIX International Percussion Festival at Conservatory of Music in Puerto Rico (2014) ¢ XVI International Percussion Festival at Conservatory of Music in Puerto Rico (2010) ¢Republican Dominic Jazz Fest (2009) ¢ United State Jazz Ambasdor education ¢Program, Peraº (2008) ¢ The Jazz House, Peraº (2008) ¢ Tambaº Drum Shop (2007)

PUBLICATIONS: Author of his first book: RAaZ (2018)

Efrain Martinez'S SETUP:

  1. K1419
  2. K0933
  3. K1408
  4. K1426
  5. K1422

* May be prototype

Efrain
Martinez's
IN 3

Efrain Martinez's
IN 3

  • WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

    It inspires me to learn the rhythms of traditional drums from different cultures and create new drum beats, I incorporate them into modern music and try to make my own style. That's why Elvin Jones inspires me a lot, in his way of playing you can hear drums from Africa, and so many other cultures. Drummers like Elvin Jones, Omar Hakim, David Garibaldi, Bernard Purdie and many more who have groove as their priority inspired me a lot.

  • WORDS OF WISDOM FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF DRUMMERS

    I always advise the youngest musicians that apart from studying the technic, they should also look for the origin of the musical styles that they want to play. Basically to go to the root to have a better understanding of what they are playing.That they see the instrument as an extension of all that legacy left by our ancestors.

  • FAVORITE ZILDJIAN CYMBAL/COMBO

    I should say that I've always been a fan of the K series, especially the K Custom Special Dry and the Constantinople series. My favorites are the K Constantinople Renaissance 22" Ride and the K Custom Special Dry Ride 21".

BEHIND THE KIT

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