Biography
Alexey Marti is a Cuban-born percussionist, composer, and bandleader who has become a prominent figure in New Orleans' Latin jazz scene. Born in Havana, Cuba, Marti began playing conga drums as a child within his family environment, learning African traditions passed down through generations. At age 16, he began formal percussion studies under Maestro Oscar Valdes, the percussionist and singer for the renowned Cuban group Irakere, which led to a tenured position as percussionist for Valdes' Afro-Cuban ensemble, Dia.kara. Marti's early education was complemented by self-directed study, rehearsing 10-12 hours daily and witnessing rehearsals of Irakere members, absorbing the nuances of Afro-Cuban fusion music.
In 2008, at age 16, Marti made a transformative decision to relocate to New Orleans, Louisiana, to advance his musical aspirations. He enrolled in the University of New Orleans Jazz Program, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in music with a concentration in percussion and piano. During this period, he founded Alexey Marti and Urban Minds, one of New Orleans' in-demand Latin-funk-fusion quintets, which opened for world-renowned pianist Chucho Valdes in 2012. Marti has been a featured regular at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival since 2009 and received three nominations for the New Orleans Big Easy Music Award in Latin and World music categories (2014-2018), winning best performer in 2018.
Marti's musical output reflects his cosmopolitan approach to composition and arrangement. He has released two acclaimed albums: Travesia (2017) and Mundo (2019), both showcasing his ability to blend Cuban folkloric traditions, West African bata drumming, and American jazz, blues, funk, and second-line influences. His work extends beyond performance and recording; he has served as a percussionist for digital media and films, including the TV series Roots (2016) and as film composer for documentaries such as Chasing Dreams: A Leah Chase Story and Codigo Color Memorias. His most recent album, Louisiana Stories, was released in 2025 on I/R Records.
Fun Facts
- Marti recorded percussion for the 2016 TV series Roots and served as film composer for two documentaries, expanding his work beyond live performance and studio recording into digital media and film composition.
- The Mundo album was recorded across seven different locations spanning multiple countries: New Orleans, Miami, New York, Havana, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and Spain, reflecting its cosmopolitan approach to music-making.
- Marti is self-taught in many aspects of his musicianship and emphasizes the importance of anthropology to understanding music, viewing cultural context as essential to creating universal pieces that resonate across different genres and cultures.
- He has maintained a featured regular performance slot at the prestigious New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival since 2009, demonstrating sustained recognition and popularity within the New Orleans music community.
Associated Acts
- Alexey Marti & Urban Minds
- Big Sam’s Funky Nation
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Oscar Valdes - Primary percussion mentor and professional collaborator; percussionist and singer for the famous Cuban group Irakere (Dia.kara (Afro-Cuban ensemble)) [Age 16 onwards]
Key Collaborators
- Oscar Rossignoli - Pianist in Alexey Marti and Urban Minds; core band member on Mundo album (Mundo (2019), studio sessions) [2010s-present]
- Julian Addison - Drummer; core band member on Mundo album (Mundo (2019)) [2010s-present]
- Pat Casey - Bassist; core band member on Mundo album (Mundo (2019)) [2010s-present]
- Brent Rose - Saxophonist; core band member on Mundo album (Mundo (2019)) [2010s-present]
- Curtis and Bomani Pierre - Brazilian percussionists; featured on Mundo album (Mundo (2019)) [2010s-present]
- The Headhunters - Recording and performance collaboration (Platinum (2011))
- Delfeayo Marsalis - Recording and performance collaboration (Various projects)
- Jason Marsalis - Performance collaboration (Various performances) [2010s-present]
- Herlin Riley - Performance collaboration for CubaNOLA fundraiser (CubaNOLA benefit concert) [2010s-present]
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
alexey marti has been played 20 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.