Backstage at The Utah Arts Festival 2017: Closing day headliners include Bachauer Medalists, Insatiable, Natural Roots, John Flanders, Sound Mass, Pedrito Martinez

Closing day headliners at the 41st annual Utah Arts Festival run the gamut from long-time local favorites to dynamic young piano virtuosi and one of the world’s best known master percussionist of Afro-Cuban music. Highlights include the annual performance of the Repertory Dance Theatre (6:45 p.m., Festival Stage) and the Pedrito Martinez Group (9:45 p.m., … Read more

Backstage at The Utah Arts Festival 2017: Pedrito Martinez Group to close out festival on exuberant note

Pedrito Martinez received his musical education in the streets of central Havana. “There were so many teachers that were my idols,” he says in an interview with The Utah Review. The batá rhythms he learned originated in Africa, once performed only for kings. The performer on the largest drum, the instrument referred to as the … Read more