Chucho Valdes Quintet

We have brought in many great pianists over the years, and this year we are proud to present Chucho Valdés’ premier performance in Victoria. Also known as a bandleader, composer and arranger, Valdés founded the legendary group Irakere in 1972, one of Cuba’s most influential and internationally renowned Latin jazz bands. Valdés’ father, Bebo Valdés, also a pianist, is a former director of Havana’s splendid Tropicana nightclub. This powerhouse musician has recorded 50 albums and won four Grammy’s over the years, most recently in 2003 for his Live at the Village Vanguard. A major celebrity in his own country, Valdés is revered by jazz fans around the globe for his unique combination of daring improvisation and jaunty, crowd-pleasing rhythms. He has played with a dictionary of jazz stars, from Chick Corea to Max Roach. He even received an honorary degree from the University of Victoria! For this tour his quintet includes Lázaro Rivero bass, Juan Carlos Rojas drums, Yaroldy Abreu percussion and Mayra Caridad Valdés vocals.
“A hurricane-force gale in Afro-Cuban music.” – Michael Stone