Growing up in Havana, Cuba, Chucho Valdés was exposed to music almost everywhere he went in the country. His mother was a singer and piano teacher, while his father, Bebo Valdés, was one of Cuba’s most notable arrangers and piano performers.
“My dad was a phenomenal pianist and he taught me a great deal. What I learned most from him was the Afro-Cuban influence and jazz influence,” Valdés said through his translator. “My mom was just as influential. She was like the police, making sure that I practiced and that I continued to learn.”
At the age of 14, he studied at the Municipal Music Conservatory of Havana and took private lessons from such Cuban piano notables as Zenaida Romeu, Rosario Franco, Federico Smith and Leo Brouwer.
Those lessons paid off, as Valdés is now considered Cuban’s finest jazz piano player, having won five Grammys, three Latin Grammys and playing at distinguished venues all over the world.
“My most favorite memory happened on June 25, 1978. That’s when I debuted in America at Carnegie Hall with [his group] Irakere,” he said. “What made it even more memorable is that one of my heroes — Bill Evans — also performed.”
It was 15 years earlier when Valdés worked as a pianist at the Martí Theatre, International Salon of the Havana Riviera Hotel and at the Musical Theatre of the Havana Orchestra. He soon formed his own Combo and in 1970, debuted his Combo in a quintet format at the Jamboree International Jazz Festival in Poland, marking the first time a Cuban group participated in a jazz festival abroad.
Valdés formed Irakere in 1973, and the group revolutionized Latin music at the time with its blend of jazz, rock, classical and traditional Cuban Music. Irakere played in more than 50 countries around the world and garnered a multitude of awards through the years.
Those awards, Valdés said, are very important to him, and he remembers winning each and every one.
“There have been so many accomplishments, but I am most proud of my first Grammy,” Valdés said. “It was of large importance because it was on an international label and it was an important step for all the musicians involved and it opened up a lot of doors for us.”
Two years ago, Valdés formed a new group focusing more on the Afro-Cuban sound. The Afro-Cuban Messengers will be heading to the George Mason University Center for the Arts on Feb. 3 in their first appearance at the Center.
“Playing live on stage is the best,” he said. “I enjoy the direct contact with the audience. It’s a way to communicate with people each night and it’s all very magical.”
Valdés and his Afro-Cuban Messengers will be performing music from his latest recording, “Chucho’s Steps,” which won the Grammy for “Best Latin Jazz CD.” The album features musical tributes to American and European jazz artists that Valdés cites as influences, including Cole Porter, Joe Zawinul, Art Tatum, John Coltrane, Branford Marsalis and Bill Evans.
“We’re also going to be previewing some songs from my up and coming release, so the audience can have a taste of what’s to come,” Valdés said. “I’m also going to be doing a special piece we used to do when I was the leader of Irakere.”
Even at 70 years old, Valdés still gets a thrill at each performance and he hopes those attending get just as much out of it.
“I would like people to walk away with the feeling of a new journey or new path,” he said. “I want the audience to appreciate Afro-Cuban music and this new style we are trying to incorporate.”
It would be easy for someone with Valdés’ credentials to rest on his laurels and play the hits and tunes that people have come to love, but creating new music is important to him.
“I always want to develop new music,” he said. “For me, music evolves, and it always adds a new experience and helps me to create a better product.”
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