Articles of Chucho Valdés

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Racism in Cuban music?

chucho valdes

The history of music in Cuba has been profoundly marked by mestizaje since the nationality’s very conception, in close communion with the war against Spanish colonialism. The birth of nationalist, pro-independence sentiment was anti-colonialist, and anti-racist by implication and in principle. Is it possible to label as racist a Revolution that had as its political foundation the abolition of slavery?

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An extraordinary gift for music lovers

Chucho valdes concierto

Lang Lang is a phenomenal performer, one of the most internationally acclaimed pianists; and Chucho Valdés, a pianist, composer, and winner of five Grammy and three Latin Grammy awards. These two greats came together on October 9 in a unique concert, in the truest sense of the word, in Old Havana’s exceptional Plaza de la Catedral to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the city’s founding (November 16).

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Lang Lang and Chucho Valdés Will Perform Together in Cuba

c hucho valdess

Famous pianists Lang Lang, of China, and Cuban Chucho Valdés, will share an outdoor concert in this capital on October 9, confirmed recently one of the organizers of the event. The New York Times describes Lang as the best classic artist in the planet, while Time magazine included him among the most influential 100 people in the world.

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The new Irakere

chuchjo valdes

Chucho and Irakere were predestined to reach the peak of international success. The band was demonstrating the contributions of the new school of Cuban music that was beginning to bear fruit.

Then came that decisive year for Irakere, 1977, with the arrival of the Daphne cruise ship in Havana, bringing Dizzy Gillespie and a cohort of established jazz musicians: Stan Getz, Earl “Fatha” Hines, David Amram, Ray Mantilla, Anne Brackeen, Billy Hart, Rudy Rutherford, John Orr, Eddie Graham and the singers Marva Josie and Ry Cooder. The tour ended with a concert at the Mella theater.

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Havana Vibrates with the Best of Jazz

Chucho Valdés

how to get her back Havana, Dec 21 (Prensa Latina) With a luxury concert offered by pianist Chucho Valdes and his quintet, was inaugurated the 28th International Jazz Plaza Festival at the Mella Theater in Havana. During the opening ceremony last night the maestro Bobby Carcasses welcomed the participating artists in Mexico, Sweden, United States,

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Chamber Music Festival dedicated to Cuban pianist and composer Chucho Valdés

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Cuban maestro Leo Brouwer announced that the Chamber Music Festival scheduled for September 30th through October 7th will be dedicated to Chucho Valdés on his 70th birthday. Chucho is simply great as a pianist, composer and person, he deserves this homage and much more,” said Brower in Havana, adding that he has admired and worked with the great Cuban jazz musician for 50 years.