Chucho Valdés facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chucho Valdés
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Chucho Valdés in 2022
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Dionisio Jesús Valdés Rodríguez |
| Born | October 9, 1941 Quivicán, Mayabeque, Cuba |
| Genres | Afro-Cuban jazz |
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| Instruments | Piano |
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Dionisio Jesús Valdés Rodríguez, known to many as Chucho, is a famous Cuban musician. He plays the piano, leads bands, and writes music. Born on October 9, 1941, he has been making music for over 50 years!
Chucho helped start a group called Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna. Later, in 1973, he started his own band, Irakere, which became one of Cuba's most famous Latin jazz groups. Music runs in his family! His father, Bebo Valdés, and his son, Chuchito, are also talented pianists. Chucho Valdés has won many important awards, including seven Grammy Awards and four Latin Grammy Awards, for his amazing solo music.
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Chucho Valdés's Musical Journey
Chucho Valdés began recording his own music in January 1964. These early recordings happened in Havana, Cuba. He played with talented musicians like Paquito D'Rivera and Carlos Emilio Morales. His jazz group's members often changed over the years.
Joining a Big Band
In 1967, Chucho and his bandmates became part of the Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna. This was a big band with many well-known Cuban musicians. They played music for famous singers like Elena Burke and Omara Portuondo.
Starting the Band Irakere
In 1973, Chucho and other musicians from the Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna formed Irakere. This group mixed different styles of music, like songo and Afro-Cuban jazz. Irakere became very popular.
Chucho also continued his solo career. He signed with Blue Note Records, which helped his music reach people all over the world. Because of this, Chucho's music has received great praise from critics.
Family and Teaching
Chucho's father, Bebo, was also a legendary pianist. He left Cuba in 1960. Chucho and Bebo sometimes played music together until Bebo passed away in 2013.
In the late 1990s, Chucho focused more on his solo music. His son, Chuchito, took over as the pianist and director of Irakere. Since 2010, Chucho has performed with his own band, the Afro-Cuban Messengers.
Chucho loves to teach younger musicians. He has taught at the Havana National school in Cuba. He has also taught in other places, even with famous musicians like Herbie Hancock. Chucho is a father to six children: Chuchito, Emilio, Yousi, Leyanis, Jessie, and Julian.
Awards and Special Honors
Chucho Valdés has won many awards for his incredible music.
Grammy Awards
He has won four Grammy Awards as a solo artist:
- In 2001, for his album Live at the Village Vanguard.
- In 2010, for Juntos Para Siempre, which he made with his father, Bebo Valdés.
- In 2011, for Chucho's Steps, with the Afro-Cuban Messengers.
- In 2017, for Tribute to Irakere: Live in Marciac.
Other albums that were nominated for a Latin Jazz Album Grammy include Bele Bele en la Habana (1999), Briyumba Palo Congo – Religion of the Congo (2000), and New Conceptions (2004).
Chucho has also been part of two groups that won Grammy Awards:
- In 1980, for the album Irakere by Irakere.
- In 1998, for the album Habana, by Roy Hargrove's Crisol.
Latin Grammy Awards
He has won the following Latin Grammy Awards:
- In 2004, for New Conceptions.
- In 2009, for Juntos Para Siempre.
- In 2019, for Jazz Batá 2.
Other Recognitions
- On October 16, 2006, Chucho Valdés was named a FAO Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations.
- In May 2011, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music.
- In April 2022, Chucho Valdés won a Best Latin Jazz Album for Mirror Mirror with Eliane Elias & Chick Corea.
- In April 2025, he was honored with the Leonard Bernstein Award and became a NEA Jazz Master.
Solo Music Albums
Albums
- 1964: Jazz nocturno (Areito)
- 1964: Guapachá en La Habana (Areito) – with Guapachá
- 1970: Chucho Valdés (Areito)
- 1972: Jazz batá (Areito)
- 1976: Piano I (Areito)
- 1981: Tema de Chaka (Areito)
- 1986: Invitación (Areito)
- 1988: Lucumi (Messidor)
- 1988: Straight Ahead (Jazz House) – with Arturo Sandoval
- 1991: Solo Piano (Blue Note)
- 1998: Bele Bele en la Habana (Blue Note)
- 1999: Briyumba Palo Congo (Blue Note)
- 1999: Live (RMM) -- with Hilton Ruiz
- 2000: Live at the Village Vanguard (Blue Note)
- 2001: Solo: Live in New York (Blue Note)
- 2002: Canciones inéditas (EGREM)
- 2002: Fantasía Cubana: Variations on Classical Themes (Blue Note)
- 2003: New Conceptions (Blue Note)
- 2005: Cancionero cubano (EGREM)
- 2008: Canto a Dios (Comanche)
- 2008: Tumi Sessions (Tumi)
- 2008: Juntos para siempre (Sony) – with Bebo Valdés
- 2010: Chucho's Steps (Four-Quarters)
- 2013: Border-Free (Comanche)
- 2016: Tribute to Irakere: Live in Marciac (Live) (Comanche)
- 2024: Cuba & Beyond Innercat
EPs
- 1964: Por la libre (Areito)
- 1964: No me digan na (Areito) – with Guapachá
See also
In Spanish: Chucho Valdés para niños
