Wednesday, 23 November 2011 17:14
Chucho Valdés. Photo courtesy of Universidad de las artes
On October 9th 1941, in the well-known village of Quivicán, was born one of the greatest among those who dignify his culture and pride of all Cubans: Cucho Valdés.
Son of another great musician, Bebo Valdés, Chucho showed his talent already at a very young age to later become a great artist. Blessed with a creative talent, this man has developed a vertiginous career as author, arranger, performer, accompanying pianist, and orchestra director. Among his mentors there have been great figures of Cuban music, such as Zenaida and Armando Romeu as well as the brilliant guitarist Leo Brower.
At the beginning, he worked at the musical theater of Havana and the well remembered orchestra of modern music and realized many songs for the movie industry in the 70's. In 1973 he founded the famous group "Irakere" of which he was the director until the last moments of the band, blessing us with unforgettable hits such as "Bacalao con pan" and "Ese atrevimiento".
This composer whose work counts with titles, such as "Misa negra", "Mambo influenciado", "Una noche en Coco Solo", just to name a few, is a modest man who has shared his musical ingenuity with great and world famous personalities, such as Josephine Baker, Michel Legrand, Charles Aznavour and Dizzy Gillespie.
In America as well as in Europe and Asia, this keyboard giant has won ovations on the most important stages and has received a series of Grammy awards since 1978 until very recently for his latest work "Chucho's Steps".
Synonym for effort, hard work, dedication and brilliant skills, this artist of 70 years continues presenting the best of him in each performance and we of course continue applauding this genuine exponent of the universal art and proof of Cuban, Caribbean, Latin American and World music he continues delighting us with his creative talent.
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