Painted in the broadest of strokes, the stories of Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martinez may seem similar: both started life in Havana, discovered their gifts and passions for music and headed to the States, where they melded the music of their homeland with a wide variety of influences, each in his own deeply personal way.

Rodriguez was born into a musical family, his father a popular singer and TV host. Martinez, on the other hand, honed his craft on the streets of Havana, learning the deeply-rooted percussion and vocal style of Afro-Cuban folkloric and religious music.

“What makes this duo completely different is that I came from the folkloric side and Alfredo came from the classical side. You put those things together and you come out with an extraordinary and different sound.” – Pedrito Martinez