The 58 year-old pianist, composer, bandleader and educator is well known in jazz circles for his explosive fusion of Cuban, African, Spanish and American musical traditions. The embargo between Cuba and the United States, however, has prevented Valdés' music from entering the mainstream of American music. Valdés formed his first jazz trio in 1957 at the age of 16, and worked in the Elio Reve Orquesta from 1965 to 1967. Several years later he joined with guitarist Carlos Emilio and saxophonist/clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera and created the pioneering ensemble Irakere. Irakere was the first post-embargo Cuban group to be signed to an American label, and their 1978 debut album earned them a Grammy award.
Valdés came to the United States in 1996 as a guest soloist on Trumpeter Roy Hargrove's masterpiece CD, Crisol, which featured Valdés and other Latin jazz luminaries. Soon after the album's release, Valdés performed to a sold-out audience at Lincoln Center. He has since continued to tour and teach in the country, and recently released Briyumba Palo Congo. This CD, which translates as "Religion of the Congo," reveals an American influence upon recent changes in Valdés' musical evolution. Says Valdés, "My playing has changed in how I manage with the musical language of jazz, the phrasing. McCoy Tyner and Bill Evans are the biggest influences on me."
*The Chucho Valdés Quintet concert in Wellin Hall will require a ticket. Free tickets are on a first come, first served basis and are available from Summer Programs at Hamilton College at 315-859-4271.
