Chucho Valdés, considered the most influential figure of modern Afro-Cuban jazz.
Instead, Mr. Valdés created the most ambitious piece of work he had ever done.
La Creación (The Creation), a three-movement suite for small ensemble, voices, and big band, depicts the history of creation in accordance with the Regla de Ocha, an Afro-Cuban religion also known as Santera. The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami hosted the world premiere of La Creación on November 5, 2021. Lyon, Paris, and Barcelona then hosted performances of the play.
We are working on something else... at the time, Mr. Valdés replied, his voice wavering, "We are working on something else... but La Creación is a culmination of all my experiences in music — up to today." I'm only entering my second adolescence, he deadpanned after pausing for a brief while to smile like the Cheshire cat.
He currently exudes energy as a result of his much anticipated reunion with legendary clarinetist, saxophonist, and composer Paquito D'Rivera, an old friend and bandmate. For the past 40 years, they haven't played together very often, but since their reunion, they haven't wasted any time. accompanied by a group that includes the trumpet and trombone players Diego Urcola, Armando Gola, Dafnis Prieto, on percussion, and Roberto Jr. I Missed You Too, a new CD including Vizcaino, percussion, Mr. Valdés, and Mr. D'Rivera, was recently released. The group is preparing to perform together once more. "I've always had dream of being near to Paquito again and playing with Paquito again," said Mr. Valdés. "Well, now is the moment for us."
Mr. Valdés has condensed elements of the Afro-Cuban music tradition, jazz, classical music, rock, and more into a deeply personal sound throughout the course of a more than 60-year career, both as a solo artist and bandleader. In addition to being inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame and winning seven GRAMMY® Awards overall and four Latin GRAMMY® Awards, Mr. Valdés was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences last year.
In his most recent album, Jazz Batá 2, Mr. Valdés revisits a ground-breaking concept he initially recorded in 1972: a piano jazz trio using batá drums instead of a traditional trap set. Batá drums are the sacred, hourglass-shaped drums used in the ritual music of the Yoruba religion in Cuba.
Jazz Batá 2 was included for Billboard magazine's list of The 50 Best Latin Albums of the Decade and won a Latin Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album.
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