Chucho Valdés and Arturo O'Farrill pay tribute to their historic fathers on Familia: Tribute to Bebo and Chico. Courtesy of the artists
First Listen: Arturo O'Farrill & Chucho Valdés, 'Familia: Tribute To Bebo & Chico'
August 31, 20175:00 AM ET
FELIX CONTRERAS
It's impossible to overstate the importance of both Bébo Valdés and Chico O'Farrill to 20th century Afro-Cuban music and jazz.
Their rich and multi layered influence is evident in iconic compositions, big band arrangements written 60 years ago that still sound cutting edge, and piano playing that echo Cuban classical music and jazz pianist Bill Evans.
The curious thing is that each made those contributions on opposite sides of the Florida Straights. Bebo Valdés (1918-2013) was a pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader in Havana, while Chico O'Farrill (1921-2001) was busy leading ensembles in New York. Their paths through Cuban music reflect unbreakable musical ties between the U.S. and Cuba that defied politics and a Cold War.
read more at: http://www.npr.org/2017/08/31/546800354/first-listen-arturo-ofarrill-chucho-vald-s-familia-tribute-to-bebo-chico
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