PEDRITO MARTINEZ, SOFIA REI and BRIA SKONBERG Collaborate on a Holiday Track “El Niño del Tambor” (Little Drummer Boy) Digital Release on Dec 18 From Cuba to Canada to Argentina, A Wholly Original Take on Christmas Classic LISTEN ON SPOTIFY In a holiday season when travel is restricted and the world is confined to their homes, three artists whose origins span the Western Hemisphere, from Canada to Cuba to Argentina, present a wholly original rendition of a Christmas classic. El Niño Del Tambor (The Little Drummer Boy) is given new life by three celebrated New York City-based musicians: percussionist Pedrito Martinez. vocalist Sofia Rei, and trumpeter Bria Skonberg. The track is released digitally on all platforms on December 18. An entrancing journey featuring multi-percussion, trumpet and three-part harmonies, El Niño del Tambor captures the spirit of a song and season. “There are a lot of things we can’t do or have right now,” says Skonberg. “But we have our voices, and we find ways to communicate and to share.” The trio’s version required a balance of deliberately sparse beats, delicate vocal and trumpet interplay, and inspired improvisation, with the musicians in isolated glass recording booths. In spite of these socially-distanced challenges, Martinez says “It was undoubtedly magical.” Martinez, Rei and Skonberg first performed El Niño Del Tambor together six years ago, at The Town Hall’s annual holiday show, Gotham Holiday Swing. The pandemic may have upended tours, but it also left three busy bandleaders a rare opportunity. “The year 2020, with all its awfulness, allowed for some end-of- the-year magic,” states Rei. “The three of us were in New York at the same time and available to finally record this song and put it out right in time for Christmas.” And what more fitting gift to bring?
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