Ms. Maria Martinez, originally from Camaguey, Cuba and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a respected drummer, percussionist, clinician and educator.

Maria began her musical career playing various night clubs in the French Quarter including Tipitina’s, the Dream Palace, Old Opera House as well as concerts at the New Orleans Jazz Festival, River Gate Convention Center and the Louisiana, Superdome.

From there, she studied at Musicians Institute and completed the vocational program with honors (Awarded Player of the Year). Maria spent the next 18 years performing and teaching drum set/percussion at Percussion Institute of Technology, Hollywood, California.

She has toured internationally and is also a sought-after studio musician and featured event clinician.

Maria has performed and/or recorded with many different bands & artists including Barry White, El Chicano, Rita Coolidge, Angela Bofill, Klymaxx, Emmanuel, Tim Weisberg, Linda Hopkins, Trini Lopez, Morris Albert, Nancy Sinatra, Debbie Reynolds, Nel Carter, Lisa Haley and The Zydekats, Jay Dee Maness, Maia Sharp and Johnny Paycheck.

Maria Martinez is also a successful, published author for Hal Leonard Publishing including eight works covering various styles. She’s appeared on many top TV shows including The Late Show, Soul Train, The Drew Carey Show, The Dukes of Hazzard and been a featured clinician for PASIC, NAMM, Berklee College of Music and many other teaching venues world-wide.