WILLIE MARTINEZ

Willie Martinez has been a familiar face in New York City’s eclectic music scene for well over thirty years. As well as being one of the most sought after drummers on the Latin Jazz scene today, Willie is also a gifted composer, arranger and vocalist.

He has imparted his unique rhythmic and vocal styling upon groups performing everything from Gothic Funk at the quintessentially New York City rock club CBGB’s to Afro Cuban jazz on the venerable stage of the Isaac Stern Auditorium at 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 saxophonist Bill Easley, to contemporary Pop divas Jewel and Faith Hill.

His performances have been documented on television, video and audio recordings, sharing the stage with a wide variety of artists representing a Who’s Who in the American music industry, including Latin legends Bebo Valdes, Ray Santos and Hilton Ruíz; jazz greats TK Blue, George Cables and Benny Powell; and pop veterans Leon Pendarvis and Barry Eastmond.

When not performing with his highly acclaimed Latin jazz ensemble, La Familia Sextet and the Willie Martinez Quartet; Willie enjoys being a part of some of the hottest projects in town, including the Curtis Brothers’ CuBop, the Bronx Horns, the Nicki Denner Trio and the Ray Blue Quartet.

Your host, Dion Parson, is an educator, composer, Grammy Award-winning performer, and bandleader. He currently resides on the island of St. Thomas and serves as the Chair of the Communication and Performing Arts Department at the University of the Virgin Islands. He is also the President of the United Jazz Foundation, which is a music education organization that mentors underprivileged kids to become musicians. His musical career has allowed him to tour internationally for over 30 years, and he has been recorded on over 110 recordings.

Willie Martinez has been a familiar face in New York City’s eclectic music scene for well over thirty years. As well as being one of the most sought after drummers on the Latin Jazz scene today, Willie is also a gifted composer, arranger and vocalist. He has imparted his unique rhythmic and vocal styling upon groups performing everything from Gothic Funk at the quintessentially New York City rock club CBGB’s to Afro Cuban jazz on the venerable stage of the Isaac Stern Auditorium at 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 saxophonist Bill Easley, to contemporary Pop divas Jewel and Faith Hill. His performances have been documented on television, video and audio recordings, sharing the stage with a wide variety of artists representing a Who’s Who in the American music industry, including Latin legends Bebo Valdes, Ray Santos and Hilton Ruíz; jazz greats TK Blue, George Cables and Benny Powell; and pop veterans Leon Pendarvis and Barry Eastmond. When not performing with his highly acclaimed Latin jazz ensemble, La Familia Sextet and the Willie Martinez Quartet; Willie enjoys being a part of some of the hottest projects in town, including the Curtis Brothers’ CuBop, the Bronx Horns, the Nicki Denner Trio and the Ray Blue Quartet. Your host, Dion Parson, is an educator, composer, Grammy Award-winning performer, and bandleader. He currently resides on the island of St. Thomas and serves as the Chair of the Communication and Performing Arts Department at the University of the Virgin Islands. He is also the President of the United Jazz Foundation, which is a music education organization that mentors underprivileged kids to become musicians. His musical career has allowed him to tour internationally for over 30 years, and he has been recorded on over 110 recordings.