On the evening of Saturday, September 12, the rhythms of Cuban rumba will pour out of the Iroquois Amphitheater in south Louisville, marking the start of the Louisville Orchestra's 2026-27 season with a free Music Without Borders concert. The orchestra will share the stage with Grammy-nominated percussionist and vocalist Pedrito Martinez and his acclaimed band, in a program led by composer and conductor Ahmed Alom. Admission is free and open to everyone, though registration is recommended, and the doors open an hour before the 8:30 p.m. start.
The concert is the latest chapter in a series that has become a tradition for the orchestra and the city. Music Without Borders brings free, world-class performances directly into Louisville neighborhoods, removing cultural and economic barriers and creating welcoming opportunities for audiences to experience the orchestra close to home. In recent years, the orchestra has brought performances to community centers across the city, supported by title sponsors Jim and Irene Karp. The series has become a tradition in launching a new orchestra season, according to spokesperson Mallory Kramer.
This year's edition returns the orchestra to one of Louisville's most notable venues. The last time the Louisville Orchestra performed at the Iroquois Amphitheater was in 2023, making this September's concert the ensemble's first appearance at the amphitheater in three years.
The program itself is a celebration of the musical traditions of Cuba, and it opens with a piece that has become an orchestral favorite: Arturo Márquez's "Danzón No. 2," a thrilling work inspired by the elegance and energy of Cuban dance. The evening also features Alejandro García Caturla's colorful "Tres Danzas Cubanas," a suite of three movements drawn from the rhythms of the island. But the heart of the concert belongs to Martinez and his band, who will perform original songs including "Aumba," "Ciudadano," "Yo Sí Quiero," "Pastorita Tiene Guararey," "Dios Mío," and "La Luna," several of them arranged by Alom for the full orchestra. The Pedrito Martinez Group features Sebastian Natal on bass, Manuel Marquez on timbales, Andy Garcia on keyboards, and Xito Lowell on trombone, all of whom also sing.
Martinez brings a remarkable story to the stage. Born in Havana, he is celebrated for combining the deep traditions of Cuban rumba with jazz, timba and contemporary influences. His powerful percussion, expressive vocals and dynamic performances have earned international recognition and collaborations with artists across musical genres.
The conductor of the evening, Ahmed Alom, leads the orchestra in this celebration of Cuban musical traditions. Working with Alom over the past few years, Kramer said, has inspired a new wave of performances for the orchestra. "We are able to perform genres of music that are not always by the old and famous composers that our audiences know and love, like Beethoven and Mozart," she said. "Music bridges relationships. It creates conversation. It creates shared experiences. And that's what we're all about."
The concert also reflects a broader mission that has come to define the Louisville Orchestra in recent years. This September, the orchestra will begin a new round of In Harmony tour stops in six Kentucky communities, and two more Music Without Borders concerts are slated for November and February at other venues.
For the orchestra, the return to Iroquois Amphitheater is a chance to reach an audience measured in the thousands rather than the hundreds that smaller community venues can hold. "Being at Iroquois Amphitheater allows us to open that audience up and reach thousands when we can," Kramer said. The concert is general admission, with entry on a first-come, first-served basis subject to venue capacity, and registration does not guarantee admission — so early arrival is strongly encouraged. Those who register will receive weather updates and other important announcements. On a September evening, with driving percussion, powerful vocals, and the full force of an orchestra behind them, Pedrito Martinez and the Louisville Orchestra will bring the rhythms of Cuba to the South End, free and open to all.