Harlem Speaks: Edy Martinez, Pianist July 24, 2008

Edy Martinez was born in the south of Colombia, in a small city called Pasto. He didn't have any formal training in music, but his ears and aspirations took him very far. Martinez left Colombia in 1960, moving initially to the Netherland Antilles and then to New Orleans, Miami and New York. He remained for 33 years outside Columbia, working as keyboardist and arranger for Tito Puente, Ray Baretto, Mongo Santamaria, Ron Carter, Bobby Watson, Gato Barbieri and Paquito d'Rivera. Edy came back briefly to Colombia with the idea of promoting the development of jazz by way of concerts and recordings with young musicians.