Revered as one of Cuba’s greatest jazz pianists, bandleader, composer and arranger Chucho Valdes is a highly influential figure in the world of Latin and Afro-Cuban jazz. Inspired by the like of Thelonius Monk, he formed his first jazz trio at an early age formulating his own unique ideas about mixing jazz, classical and Cuban styles of music. He was a founding member of Cuba’s innovative, and best known Latin Jazz bands, Irakere which included such stars as trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera. With its unique mix of jazz, rock, funk, classical and traditional Cuban rhythms, Irakere was an explosive ensemble that caught the attention of international audiences. Although Valdes never left Cuba, the eight time Grammy winning virtuoso has kept a high-profile touring schedule and continues to release a steady flow of albums.
Cuban jazz giant and young players celebrate the 40th anniversary of pioneering Havana group Irakere, the Cuban band that, with its bold fusion of Afro-Cuban ritual music, popular Afro-Cuban music styles, jazz and rock, marked a before and after in Latin jazz.