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Chuchito Valdes

Jesus "Chuchito" Valdés - (Pianist, arranger, composer, bandleader) Born in Havana Cuba, Chuchito Valdes comes from one of the most distinguished musical families in Cuba. He has recorded and performed piano with the world renown Cuban band, Irakere, which he led for 2 years. He has performed at festivals, clubs and concerts throughout the world: from Cuba and the Caribbean, across the United States and South America, and throughout Europe. Some of his worldwide appearances have included Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club in London and Green Dolphin Street in Chicago, The Jazz Festivals of Havana, Cancun and Merida, as well as a recent festival performance in San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Music Festival. His ensemble was featured during December of 2000, at the 19th International Havana Jazz Festival, as well as at the Cancun International Jazz Festival in May of 2001 & 2002. The band completed a successful U.S Tour last year performing concerts from Chicago to San Francisco. On Nov. 9th 2001 his band performed at Orchestra Hall In Detroit. In 2002 he was featured with his band at the Chicago Jazz Festival, The Detroit Jazz Festival, AT&T San Jose Jazz Festival, and the Brownsville Latin-Jazz Festival in Texas. In his youth he studied with many Cuban masters, such as the great Cuban pianist, Chucho Valdes (who also happens to be his father). Chuchito is recognized as a master at Cuban music including Mambo, Danzon, and Cuban Timba and Guaguanco. He has also extensively studied classical music including harmony and composition. When he is not travelling around the world performing, Chuchito lives in Cancun, Mexico where he leads his Afro-Cuban based Latin-Jazz ensemble. His original compositions and arrangements draw on classical harmonic and structural techniques. In his performances, Chuchito’s music draws on many styles including Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz, Bebop, Danzon, Cha-Cha- Cha, Son Montuno and much more.

Jes?s "Chuchito" Vald?s, Jr. with Laksar Reese: Encantado

Read "Encantado" reviewed by Javier AQ Ortiz

by Javier AQ Ortiz
April 12, 2002

Encantado, or 'enchanted,' is the first release under the name of the youngest part of a celebrated Cuban pianistic triad. Jes's 'Chuchito' Vald's, Jr. is the grandson of 'Bebo' and son of 'Chucho' . Vald's, Jr., however, is his own man, although quite 'chuchified' nonetheless. More on this later'

The recording merges original compositions with standards from Cuban and jazz music. It opens with 'Homenaje Bebo,' as a showcase for Vald's, Jr.'s chops, with a brief and somewhat stunted conga ...

Performance / Tour

Afro-Cuban jazz under the banyan trees

Source: Ken Franckling's Jazz Notes
February 21, 2017

Latin fire is in pianist Chuchito Valdés' genes. He's the son of Chucho Valdés and grandson of the late Bebo Valdés, two of Cuba's venerable jazz pianists.Though now based in Cancun, Mexico, he carries on the family tradition, much like his globetrotting father. Chuchito shared many elements of his Afro-Cuban jazz technique with a crowd beneath the majestic banyan trees at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota FL on Sunday, February 19. He performed in a trio format with ...
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Performance / Tour

Creole Restaurant and Music Supper Club Latin Jazz Legacy Series

Source: Ann Forster
August 13, 2009

Creole Restaurant and Music Supper Club Latin Jazz Legacy Series Presents the Great Chuchito Valdes

Friday August 14th & Saturday August 15th Showtimes 8:00PM & 10:00PM

Following in the footsteps of his famed father Chucho Valdes and grandfather Bebo Valdes, Chuchito Valdes continues the legacy of great piano players from Cuba – with influences of Caribbean rhythms and jazz, Chuchito creates an exciting and energetic blend of spicy music that drives audiences wild.

RESERVATIONS STRONGLY SUGGESTED. ...
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Performance / Tour

Special Solo Performance: Chuchito Valdes at Creole in NYC

Source: Michael Ricci
August 9, 2009

Creole Restaurant and Supper Club Proudly Presents The Son of Chucho Valdes and the Grandson of Bebo Valdes, Chuchito Valdes

Friday August 14 & Saturday August 15 2 sets 8:00 & 10PM $15 music cover charge per set Reservation suggested Special solo piano performance!

Following in the footsteps of his famed father Chucho Valdes and grandfather Bebo Valdes, Chuchito Valdes continues the legacy of great piano players form Cuba. With influences of ...
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Performance / Tour

Chuchito Valdes at the UCPAC

Source: All About Jazz
March 5, 2009

Presented by UCPAC and Produced by PianoCulture.com

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Hosts "Showtime" with Chuchito Valdes and Francisco Aguabella

Source: All About Jazz
August 12, 2008

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will serve as Master of Ceremonies at “Showtime" a fundraising event for the Pasadena Jazz Institute (PJI), featuring Afro Cuban/Latin Jazz by Chuchito Valdes, Franciso Aguabella, Raul Pineda and Sawa Perez on Sunday, August 17, 2008. The evening begins at 6:00 PM with a meet and greet with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, followed by a 7:00 PM performance by The Jazz Camp All Stars; and 8:00 PM Concert with Chuchito Valdes. The concert will be held at the Pasadena Jazz ...
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"Raised in Havana, Jesus "Chuchito" Valdes has inherited more then his father's famous name: on a recording made in Chicago last summer, he displays the hell-bent intensity and daredevil technique of the elder Valdes-qualities recognized worldwide as hallmarks of Cuban Jazz.

In terms of pure flamboyance, Chuchito Can just about match his dad: he can raise a mountain of rhythmic intensity with a driving montuno, create flutelike filigrees in his fluttering right hand figures, or stagger flashing cords at breakneck speed to build a kaleidoscopic improvisation.