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“For me, music is the tool I use to communicate powerful stories to remind us who we are, where we come from,

and where we are going. My audience is the people of the world; we are one. The drum speaks on my behalf. It

gives life to our spirit, and strength to our body and soul. “

Alexey Martí

At the zealous age of 16 years old, the expressive Cuban-born percussionist, composer, and bandleader, Alexey Marti,

began formal percussion studies under the passionate guidance of Maestro Oscar Valdes, percussionist and singer for the

famous Cuban group, Irakere. The mentorship blossomed into a deep-rooted professional relationship, allotting Marti a

tenured-position as percussionist for Valdes’ renowned Afro-Cuban ensemble, Dia.kara.

In 2008, Marti took a tremendous leap of faith, moving to and residing in the musical and historical city of New Orleans,

Louisiana to propel the advancement of his musical aspirations and trajectory. Marti’s multi-faceted expertise on percussion

and piano garnered him the opportunity to join the University of New Orleans Jazz Program, where he is pursuing a

Bachelor’s degree in music with a concentration in percussion & piano. During this time, Marti founded one of NOLA’s in-

demand Latin-funk-fusion quintets, Alexey Marti and Urban Minds, garnering him the slot of opening act for the world

famous Chucho Valdes in concert in 2012. On three occasions, Marti was nominated for the New Orleans Big Easy Music

Award in both Latin and World music categories from 2014-2018, winning best performer in the category in 2018.

Marti’s audience-participatory performances and celebratory spirit has captured the hearts of music lovers in New Orleans

and in turn has maintained Marti’s ensemble as a featured regular at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival since

2009. Some of the notable artists for which Marti has recorded for and/or performed with include the following: The

Headhunters, Platinum (2011), Delfeayo Marsallis (2016), Orlando Maraca Valle, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Jim Walker,

Hubert Laws, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Bill Summers, Davell Crawford and Jason Marsallis, to name a few. Most

recently, Marti expanded his vocation, working as a percussionist for digital media and films. His recent accolades include

recording percussion for the new TV series, Roots (2016) and serving as film composer for two documentaries: Chasing

Dreams: A Leah Chase Story and Codigo Color Memorias (Cuban documentary).

Marti shares his music with the release of two compelling albums, Travesia, (2017) and Mundo (2019). These recordings

sonically capture the impetus of Marti’s musical compositions and arrangements - to provoke both music listeners and

musicians to dare and dream of newfangled ways of cross-pollinating musical traditions, pay respect to the past, celebrate

the present, and create a new sound for future generations to enjoy. The music crosses between the folkloric and current

musical traditions of Cuba meshed with the spiritual bata drumming of West Africa, and seasoned with hints of United

States dixieland, second line, blues, jazz and funk, creating a fresh approach within the genre of Latin Jazz.

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