CHUCHO VALDÉS QUARTET
Country: Cuba - USA
Chucho Valdés is a Cuban pianist, composer and arranger, a six-time Grammy Award winner and a three-time Latin Grammy Award winner, and one of the most influential Afro-Cuban musicians in history. His father, the famous Cuban pianist and bandleader Ramon ‘Bebo’ Valdés, was his first teacher. At the age of 3, little Chucho was already playing melodies he heard on the radio by ear with both hands in all kinds of tones.
Chucho played in the famous Cuban band Irakere (1973-2005). He was also the band’s founder, composer and arranger. Irakere combined traditional Afro-Cuban music, jazz, rock and classical music. Tribute to Irakere: Live at Marciac, dedicated to Irakere’s 40th anniversary, won a Grammy Award as the best Latin jazz album of 2016.
Chucho plays on tour and also gives music lessons. He recorded a duet with his father, Bebo, ‘Juntos Para Siempre’ (Grammy Award winner), and an album called Chucho’s Steps, where he presented his new band, Afro-Cuban Messengers. Herbie Hancock believes Chucho is one of the most important figures in the world of Latin and piano jazz.
Chucho Valdés - piano
Yelsy Heredia - bass
Georvis Pico Milian - drums
Pedro Pablo Rodríguez - percussion
