A benefit concert for the National Immigration Project

May 19, 2026  |  6-10 pm  |  City Winery at Pier 57  |   25 11th Avenue  |  New York City

JusticeAid is proud to present: “Rhythm Nation,” a celebration of musical diaspora from Africa through the Caribbean, across South America to New Orleans and New York City.

The percussive power of award-winning Pedrito Martínez and his Group will build the foundation for an event that shakes the house down. Joining voices with Martínez will be Latin Grammy nominee Claudia Acuña, Alicia Olatuja, Vuyo Sotashe, trumpeter Adam O’Farrill, and guitarist Scott Sharrard. The sounds of Cuba, Chile, South Africa, Mexico, and New Orleans will weave a dynamic tapestry of sound to create an unforgettably joyful, one-of-a-kind concert event. Join us!

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PEDRITO MARTÍNEZ GROUP

Cuban-born percussionist, vocalist, and bandleader Pedrito Martínez is one of the most dynamic and in-demand artists in Afro-Cuban music today. Born in Havana and deeply rooted in rumba and Yoruba traditions, he began performing at age 11 and has since become a master of folkloric percussion and the batá drum, widely regarded as a leading voice in bringing Afro-Cuban music to global audiences.

Since settling in New York City in 1998, Martínez has collaborated with an extraordinary range of artists, including Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon, Chucho Valdés, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, and Sting, contributing to more than 100 recordings. A founding member of the acclaimed group Yerba Buena, he launched The Pedrito Martinez Group in 2005, quickly earning international recognition.

The group’s 2013 debut album received a Grammy nomination and was named among NPR’s Best Albums of the Year, establishing Martínez as a powerful bandleader and composer. Subsequent releases, including Habana Dreams and Acertijos—which earned a Latin Grammy nomination—further cemented his reputation for blending traditional Afro-Cuban rhythms with contemporary jazz. His collaborations span generations and genres, from Rubén Blades to Eric Clapton, with whom he performed at the Crossroads Guitar Festival.

Martínez continues to expand the boundaries of Afro-Cuban music through high-profile performances and recordings, including appearances at the Kennedy Center Honors and collaborations with artists such as Bill Murray. His recent projects—including Ilusión Óptica (2025) and the collaborative release Elipsis (2026)—showcase his signature fusion of tradition, jazz innovation, and modern production.

A riveting performer, Martínez tours worldwide with his group and in collaborations with leading musicians, bringing the spirit of Afro-Cuban music to stages around the globe.

CLAUDIA ACUÑA

Chilean vocalist Claudia Acuña, a Latin Grammy–nominated artist and 2023 NPR Tiny Desk performer, is celebrated for blending South American folk traditions with jazz and world music. Born in Santiago and raised in Concepción, she rose quickly on Chile’s jazz scene before moving to New York City in 1995, where she became a leading voice among a new generation of Latin American jazz artists.

Acuña has collaborated with renowned musicians including Arturo O’Farrill, Branford Marsalis, George Benson, Kenny Barron, and Herbie Hancock, among others.

Her acclaimed discography includes Wind from the South—which made her the first Latin American vocalist signed to Verve Records—as well as Rhythm of Life, Luna, In These Shoes, and En Este Momento. Her 2019 album Turning Pages earned a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Album.

Acuña has received numerous honors for both her artistry and cultural impact, including recognition in Chile for her humanitarian contributions and the keys to her hometown of Concepción. She continues to perform internationally, with recent appearances at major events and institutions such as International Jazz Day, the Newport Jazz Festival, and Carnegie Hall.

ALICIA OLATUJA

St. Louis–born vocalist, composer, and educator Alicia Olatuja is known for a rich, genre-spanning sound that blends jazz, blues, gospel, classical, pop, and Afropop. Her versatility has led to collaborations with artists including Chris Botti, Christian McBride, Chaka Khan, and BeBe Winans.

Classically trained as a mezzo-soprano, Olatuja earned her master’s degree in Classical Voice from the Manhattan School of Music after moving to New York City in 2005, where she made her recital debut at Carnegie Hall. She gained national attention in 2013 performing with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir at President Barack Obama’s second inauguration, a moment that helped launch a series of high-profile collaborations, including work with Billy Childs and recordings with McBride.

Her debut album Timeless earned a four-star review from DownBeat and showcased her distinctive interpretive style, while her follow-up, Intuition: Songs from the Minds of Women, highlighted compositions by influential female songwriters. She has continued to expand her artistic reach through recordings and performances with leading jazz and contemporary artists.

In addition to her performing career, Olatuja is a dedicated educator who has taught at universities across the U.S. and internationally. She is also a certified life coach and founder of the Vocal Breakthrough Academy, an online program that uses singing as a tool for personal growth and self-expression.

VUYO SOTASHE

South African jazz vocalist Vuyo (Vuyolwethu) Sotashe has established himself in the New York jazz scene since moving to NYC in 2013 on a Fulbright Scholarship to pursue a Master of Music at William Paterson University.

He quickly gained recognition, winning first prize at the inaugural Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Vocal Competition (2014) and earning top honors at major international competitions, including second place and the Audience Award at the Montreux Jazz Voice Competition and third place at the Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Vocal Competition—the first male vocalist ever to reach its finals.

Sotashe has performed internationally at leading festivals across Europe, South Africa, and the U.S., and has collaborated with artists including George Benson and Israel Houghton. He is also a recipient of South Africa’s prestigious SAMRO Music Scholarship.

Now based in New York, he performs regularly with acclaimed composer Samora Pinderhughes and has recently released a new album with pianist Chris Pattishall. 

ADAM O'FARRILL

Brooklyn-bred artist Adam O’Farrill has been heralded as “among the leading trumpeters in jazz-and perhaps the music’s next major improviser.” (The New York Times). Born into a musical legacy that includes composer Chico O’Farrill and pianist Arturo O’Farrill, Adam has cemented his status as one of creative music’s most in-demand voices, collaborating with the likes of Mary Halvorson, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Mulatu Astatke, Samora Pinderhughes, Anna Webber, Vijay Iyer, Mahogany L. Browne, Kambui Olujimi, and Onyx Collective.

In 2024, Adam released HUESO with his longtime quartet, Stranger Days, which The Washington Post called “strikingly original.” The band’s previous album, Visions of Your Other, was listed as one of the best albums of 2021 by The New York Times and The Boston Globe, and The Wall Street Journal wrote of the album, “Mr. O’Farrill’s music is refined and discreet; it integrates aspects of art rock and contemporary classical music and boasts a cinematic influence.” Adam’s next release, For These Streets, is a suite inspired by the culture, literature, and music of the 1930s. His fifth album, Elephant, draws influence from 20th century classical music and minimalism, as well as the beat music of the subsequent drum machine era.

SCOTT SHARRARD

Scott Sharrard is an esteemed American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer, celebrated for his contributions to rock and blues music.

A Michigan native, Sharrard began his musical career studying jazz in high school, earning his stripes alongside top musicians before moving to New York City. There, he gained critical acclaim for his live shows and studio recordings, including collaborations with The Band drummer Levon Helm in the Hudson Valley.

In 2008, he joined the Gregg Allman Band as lead guitarist and later became its musical director. He co-wrote “My Only True Friend,” featured on Allman’s Grammy-nominated Southern Blood (2017). More than collaborators, Sharrard and Allman were best friends.

Committed to social justice, Sharrard has served as music director for multiple JusticeAid benefit concerts, leading all-star bands in support of organizations like Black Voters Matter.

Since 2019, he has been the lead singer and guitarist for the legendary band Little Feat. His work includes co-producing Live at The Ryman (2022) and performing on Sam’s Place (2024), both Grammy-nominated projects.

As a solo artist, Sharrard has released multiple albums, including Rustbelt (2021). Billboard Magazine calls him “one of the best guitarists in the country.”

He also shares insights on music and life through his Substack, Scott Sharrard’s Endless Road.

LISTEN TO THE MUSIC!
WHY US?

JusticeAid is a nonprofit charitable organization that leverages the community-building power of art and music to transform awareness into action in the fight against injustice. Each year we identify and raise funds for justice causes by hosting music, arts, and educational events. Since 2013 JusticeAid has granted more than $4 million to nonprofits working to ensure access to justice for the disenfranchised and marginalized.

We know that you trust JusticeAid to identify phenomenal musical talent, important issues, and deserving organizations like the National Immigration Project. Please kindly give what you are able and know that we are truly grateful for your support and audience participation.

Our 2026 Grantee Partner, The National Immigration Project
For more than 50 years, the National Immigration Project has worked to advance and protect the rights of all immigrants. A membership organization of attorneys, advocates, organizers, and community members, the National Immigration Project litigates harmful immigration policies, coordinates regional rapid response hubs, trains thousands of attorneys across the country, educates community members on how to protect themselves and their loved ones, and advocates for affirmative laws and policies.

With thousands of legal representatives and hundreds of rapid response groups in their network, they are building bridges across movements to ensure that those most impacted by the immigration and criminal systems are uplifted and supported.

JusticeAid supporters share a passion for justice and a love for the arts. Learn about the National Immigration Project, persuade someone of its importance, and let’s rally together to make the world a better place.