Chucho Valdés
Pianist, composer and founder of Irakere: Chucho Valdés is one of the best-known Cuban musicians. He brought Afro-Cuban rhythms and jazz together and won several Grammys.
About
Chucho Valdés's full name is Dionisio Jesús Valdés Rodríguez. He was born on 9 October 1941 in Quivicán, south of Havana. His father is the pianist Bebo Valdés (1918–2013), who led the Tropicana orchestra and left Cuba in 1960.
Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna
In 1967 Chucho was one of the founders of the Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna, a big band that backed singers such as Elena Burke and Omara Portuondo.
Irakere
In 1973 he started the group Irakere with other members of that orchestra. The band mixed songo and Afro-Cuban jazz. In 1980 Irakere won a Grammy (Best Latin Recording) for the album Irakere.
Later work
- Jazz batá (1972): an early solo album.
- Grammys as a bandleader: among others for Live at the Village Vanguard (2001) and Juntos para siempre (2010), an album with his father Bebo.
- Afro-Cuban Messengers: his band since 2010.
- Honours: Cuba's Premio Nacional de Música (2000) and NEA Jazz Master (2025).
📝 Sources
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