Chucho Valdes Irakere 40 Tour | Ann Arbor

The University Musical Society at U of M Ann Arbor presented Cuban born musician Chucho Valdes & The Afro Cuban Messengers on the Irakere 40 Tour.

"Winner of five Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards, the Cuban pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader Chucho Valdés has been a key figure in the evolution of Afro-Cuban music for the past 50 years. Born in 1941, his musical education includes formal studies and countless nights on the hottest stages in Cuba as the pianist with his legendary father, Bebo Valdés, his orchestra Sabor de Cuba, and also the seminal Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna. In 1973, Chucho distilled his experiences into the development of Irakere, a historically innovative ensemble that marked a “before” and “after” in Afro-Cuban jazz. The Irakare 40 tour is a vivid vehicle designed to introduce audiences to a blazing new generation of Cuban talent, including musicians from Valdés’s band the Afro-Cuban Messengers."

- copied from the UMS web page -

Chucho is one of my all time favorites as I love piano and he knows his piano! In addition he is the consumate performer- total professional and has amazing stage presence. I have been lucky enough to see him several times now and this evening was really fun as the Irakere 40 songlist was new to me and the horn and drum sections were electric with energy! For more see the Detroit Metro Times album.