Billy Martin & Cyro Baptista | Rhythm! Sound! Magic! at The Falcon

In the world of percussion, Martin and Baptista - two somewhat eccentric "mad scientists", transcend all borders; putting forward extraordinary - if not unusual - displays of creativity in sound. Hang on to your hat!

From 1987 to 1989, Billy Martin toured and recorded with Chuck Mangione, then returned to Manhattan where he played with John Lurie’s Lounge Lizards, a Downtown NYC experimental jazz band, best known for their contributions to the "Get Shorty" soundtrack.
In 1991, he joined up with John Medeski and Chris Wood to form Medeski Martin and Wood (MMW). Nearly three decades later, the trio continues to record and perform together, most recently releasing Omnisphere (2018), with the "new music collective" Alarm Will Sound orchestra....

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In the world of percussion, Martin and Baptista - two somewhat eccentric "mad scientists", transcend all borders; putting forward extraordinary - if not unusual - displays of creativity in sound. Hang on to your hat!

From 1987 to 1989, Billy Martin toured and recorded with Chuck Mangione, then returned to Manhattan where he played with John Lurie’s Lounge Lizards, a Downtown NYC experimental jazz band, best known for their contributions to the "Get Shorty" soundtrack.
In 1991, he joined up with John Medeski and Chris Wood to form Medeski Martin and Wood (MMW). Nearly three decades later, the trio continues to record and perform together, most recently releasing Omnisphere (2018), with the "new music collective" Alarm Will Sound orchestra.
Throughout his tenure with MMW, Martin has pursued outside projects, with both notable musicians and up-and-comers.

Hang on to your hat! The thoroughly zany Cyro Baptista leads like a crazy uncle behind a percussion kit, singing, beating and tapping on a variety of objects - sometimes with flip flops ! He may pick up a megaphone, jaw harp, bird calling mouthpiece, or chains.
Cyro Baptista - known as the mad scientist of Brazilian percussion, is continually expanding stylistic boundaries. He has been touring periodically as a member of (PHISH guitarist's) Trey Anastasio Band.
Born and raised in São Paulo, Baptista has been a major force in world music for three decades, touring and recording with luminaries such as Yo-Yo Ma (The Brazil Project), Herbie Hancock (Gershwin’s World), Paul Simon (Rhythm of the Saints) and Wynton Marsalis (Brazilian Carnaval) to name a few.
Baptista transcends borders and style. In the world of Brazilian percussion, few players have shared the stage with Herbie Hancock, Yo-Yo Ma, Trey Anastasio of Phish, and Sting. He injects his experimental and funk undertones as he performs traditional Brazilian grooves like forro and samba.
Baptista is all by himself when it comes to the wide world of music. You will never hear a more unusual and amazing display of percussion instruments by this wonderful and creative musician.

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