Chucho Valdés

Subjects and genres recorded for the work are jazz, Afro-Cuban jazz, classical music and music of Cuba. Positions recorded include goodwill ambassador. Distinctions recorded are Grammy Awards, Latin Grammy Awards, Premios de la Música and Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

• Name — Chucho Valdés • Birth Name — Dionisio Jesús Valdés Rodríguez • Born — 9 October 1941 • Birthplace — Quivicán, Mayabeque, Cuba • Instrument — Piano • Genre — Afro-Cuban jazz • Occupation — * Musician • bandleader • composer • Label — * EGREM • Messidor • Blue Note • Past Member Of — * Irakere • Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna • Website — https: www.chucho-valdes.com/

Chucho Valdés's first recorded sessions as a leader took place in late January 1964 in the Areíto Studios of Havana (former Panart studios) owned by the newly formed EGREM. These early sessions included Paquito D'Rivera on alto saxophone and clarinet, Alberto Giral on trombone, Julio Vento on flute, Carlos Emilio Morales on guitar, Kike Hernández on double bass, Emilio del Monte on drums and Óscar Valdés Jr. on congas. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, these would be the members of his jazz combo, whose lineup would often change, sometimes including bassists Cachaíto and later Carlos del Puerto, and drummers Guillermo Barreto and later Enrique Plá. In 1967, Chucho and his bandmates became founding members of Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna, together with many other well-known Cuban musicians. This all-star big band would back singers such as Elena Burke and Omara Portuondo. In 1973, Chucho along with other members of the Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna founded Irakere, an ensemble that bridged songo and Afro-Cuban jazz. He would simultaneously continue his solo career, eventually signing with Blue Note Records, which allowed him to get international exposure. As a result, Chucho's work has received universal critical acclaim from the media, winning seven Grammy awards. Chucho's father, Bebo, who attained a legendary status as the pianist and director of the Tropicana Club orchestra and Orquesta Sabor de Cuba, fled Cuba in 1960, and did not record music again until the 1990s. In the late 1990s, Chucho decided to focus on his solo career, and his son Chuchito replaced him as the pianist/director of Irakere. Chucho and Bebo occasionally played together until the latter's death in 2013. Since 2010, Chucho performs with a backing band known as the Afro-Cuban Messengers. Chucho has spent much of his time teaching younger generations, either in his homeland of Cuba at the Havana National school (with many famous musicians such as Herbie Hancock), or elsewhere. Chucho is the father of six children: Chuchito Valdés Cortes, Emilio Valdés Cortes, Yousi Valdés Torres, Leyanis Valdés Reyes, Jessie Valdés Reyes, and Julian Valdés Salcedo.

• 1964: Jazz nocturno (Areito) • 1964: Guapachá en La Habana (Areito) – with Guapachá • 1970: Chucho Valdés (Areito) • 1972: Jazz batá (Areito) • 1976: Piano I (Areito) • 1981: Tema de Chaka (Areito) • 1986: Invitación (Areito) • 1988: Lucumi (Messidor) • 1988: Straight Ahead (Jazz House) – with Arturo Sandoval • 1991: Solo Piano (Blue Note) • 1998: Bele Bele en la Habana (Blue Note) • 1999: Briyumba Palo Congo (Blue Note) • 1999: Live (RMM) -- with Hilton Ruiz • 2000: Live at the Village Vanguard (Blue Note) • 2001: Solo: Live in New York (Blue Note) • 2002: Canciones inéditas (EGREM) • 2002: Fantasía Cubana: Variations on Classical Themes (Blue Note) • 2003: New Conceptions (Blue Note) • 2005: Cancionero cubano (EGREM) • 2008: Canto a Dios (Comanche) • 2008: Tumi Sessions (Tumi) • 2008: Juntos para siempre (Sony) – with Bebo Valdés • 2010: Chucho's Steps (Four-Quarters) • 2013: Border-Free (Comanche) • 2016: Tribute to Irakere: Live in Marciac (Live) (Comanche) • 2024: Cuba & Beyond Innercat

• 1964: Por la libre (Areito) • 1964: No me digan na (Areito) – with Guapachá