Dave Valentin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dave Valentin
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Valentin at the World Music and Dance Centre, March 2008
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | David Peter Valentin |
| Born | April 29, 1952 South Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Died | March 8, 2017 (aged 64) The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Latin jazz, smooth jazz, salsa |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Flute |
| Years active | 1965–2012 |
| Labels | CTI, GRP, Highnote |
| Associated acts | The Blackout All-Stars |
David Peter Valentin (April 29, 1952 – March 8, 2017) was an American musician. He was famous for playing the flute in a style called Latin jazz. This music mixes Latin American sounds with jazz. He was of Puerto Rican descent.
Contents
Life and Career
Valentin was born in The Bronx, New York City. His parents were from Puerto Rico. He went to The High School of Music & Art.
Early Musical Journey
Dave started playing percussion instruments, like conga and timbales, at a young age. By the time he was 10, he was already playing them professionally. When he was 12, he began to practice the flute. He wanted to get to know a girl in school named Irene Cathcart who played the flute.
He borrowed a flute and bought a record by Herbie Mann, another famous flutist. Dave taught himself how to play by listening to the music. Years later, he even recorded an album with Herbie Mann called Two Amigos. He also took lessons from Hubert Laws, who became his teacher and guide.
Combining Latin Music and Jazz
In the 1970s, Valentin started to combine Latin music with jazz. He played in bands with talented musicians like Bill O'Connell, Lincoln Goines, and Giovanni Hidalgo.
He was the very first musician to sign with GRP Records. This record label was started by Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen. It was known for smooth jazz, which is a softer, more relaxed style of jazz.
Dave recorded his first album in 1977 with Ricardo Marrero. Over the years, he recorded with many other famous artists. These included Patti Austin, Lee Ritenour, and Eliane Elias. Before 1979, he also worked as a schoolteacher.
Achievements and Recognition
For several years, Dave Valentin was the musical director for Tito Puente's Golden Latin Jazz All-Stars. He also toured with Manny Oquendo's Conjunto Libre. In 2000, he appeared in a movie called Calle 54. In the film, he performed with Tito Puente's Orchestra.
Readers of Jazziz magazine chose him as the best jazz flutist for seven years in a row. In 1985, he was nominated for a Grammy Award for his instrumental music. In 2003, he won a Grammy Award for an album called Caribbean Jazz Project. He made this album with Dave Samuels.
Later Life
In March 2012, Dave Valentin had a stroke. This made it difficult for him to move and perform. In 2015, he had another stroke. He worked hard to recover in a special care facility.
Dave Valentin passed away on March 8, 2017, in the Bronx. He was 64 years old. He died from complications related to his stroke and Parkinson's disease. His lifelong friend, Irene, for whom he first learned the flute, was with him.
Discography
- Legends (GRP, 1978)
- The Hawk (GRP, 1979)
- Land of the Third Eye (GRP, 1980)
- I Got It Right This Time (Arista, 1981)
- Pied Piper (GRP, 1981)
- In Love's Time (Arista/GRP, 1982)
- Flute Juice (GRP, 1983)
- Kalahari (GRP, 1984)
- Jungle Garden (GRP, 1985)
- Light Struck (GRP, 1986)
- Mind Time (GRP, 1987)
- Live at the Blue Note (GRP, 1988)
- Two Amigos (GRP, 1990)
- Musical Portraits (GRP, 1992)
- Red Sun (GRP, 1993)
- Tropic Heat (GRP, 1994)
- Sunshower (Concord Jazz, 1999)
- Primitive Passions (RMM, 2005)
- World on a String (Highnote, 2005)
- Come Fly With Me (Highnote, 2006)
- Pure Imagination (Highnote, 2011)
With Steve Turre
- The Spirits Up Above (HighNote, 2004)
With the GRP All-Star Big Band
- GRP All-Star Big Band (GRP, 1992)
With Scott Cossu
- Islands (Windham Hill, 1984)
- Switchback (Windham Hill, 1989)
- Stained Glass Memories (Windham Hill, 1992)
See also
In Spanish: Dave Valentín para niños
