We knew it was coming, but it’s easy to imagine more casual viewers of last night’s Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon doing a double take when musical guest Pedrito Martinez took the stage accompanied by Bill Murray… on the bongos.
Murray was not otherwise a guest on the episode—though Fallon did apparently persuade him to pop up in an end-of-summer–themed cold open at the top of the show. But when it came time for the music, there he was at stage right, keeping rhythm with Martinez’s high-energy percussion ensemble.
He was there simply to back up his friend—and, we’re guessing, help ensure the Tonight Show booked Martinez in the first place.
As we reported earlier this week, the two have a long-running musical connection. Murray, who has been touring with his own band Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers this summer, has been a longtime fan and supporter of Martinez, recording a spoken-word introduction for the Grammy-nominated musician’s latest album Ilusión Óptica, and appearing in the music video for its lead single, “Filosofando En Clave.”
Thursday’s drop-in may not rank among Murray’s wildest appearances—this is a man known for spontaneously accepting invitations to join fans in bachelor parties, ice cream socials and kickball games—but it fits comfortably as part of the SNL alum’s late-night canon. Another moment where Murray, by doing just enough, managed to steal the scene.
Watch Murray and the Pedrito Martinez Group’s Tonight Show performance of “Ilusión Óptica” at the top of this post.
