Pablo Arranz
The Teatro Colón will host the performance of Chucho Valdés in a quartet format on June 16. The acclaimed living legend of Afro-Cuban music, seven-time Grammy winner and six-time Latin Grammy winner, is a prominent composer and pianist, internationally recognized for his masterful way of blending elements of Afro-Cuban musical tradition, jazz, classical music, and rock, with a deeply personal style.
«The Inés Rey Government continues to bring great global music figures to our cultural venues, allowing citizens to experience unique musical experiences,» said Gonzalo Castro, Councilor for Culture and Tourism. Tickets are already on sale through Ataquilla and at the ticket office in Ourense Square.
The ‘Chucho Valdés Royal Quartet’ will present songs from the album ‘Cuba & Beyond’ (InnerJazz, 2024), nominated for the 2025 Grammy Awards, which includes tracks like ‘Tatomania’, ‘Mozart in Cuban’, and ‘Armando’s Rhumba’, his personal tribute to lifelong pianist and friend, Chick Corea. Chucho Valdés, on the piano, will be accompanied by José A. Gola (double bass and electric bass), Roberto Jr. Vizcaíno Torre (percussions), and Horacio Hernández ‘O Negro’ (drums).
In his illustrious musical career of over 60 years, Chucho Valdés has received the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ from the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, is a member of the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame, and recently won the NEA Jazz Masters 2025 distinction, the highest recognition a jazz musician can receive in the United States.
About Chucho Valdés
Dionisio Jesús ‘Chucho’ Valdés Rodríguez was born into a family of musicians in Quivicán, in the province of Havana (Cuba), on October 9, 1941. His first teacher and greatest influence was his father, the pianist, composer, and orchestra director, Ramón ‘Bebo’ Valdés. At three years old, Chucho was already playing melodies by ear on the piano, with both hands and in all keys, that he heard on the radio. At five, Chucho began receiving private lessons in piano, theory, and solfeggio, studies that culminated at the Municipal Conservatory of Music in Havana, where he graduated at 14.
He gained worldwide recognition as the founder, lead composer, and arranger of the group ‘Irakere’ (1973-2005), which he founded alongside Paquito D’Rivera, a small big band that stood out for its unique way of blending Afro-Cuban ritual music with styles of Afro-Cuban popular music, Cuban dance, jazz, classical music, and rock.
Chucho Valdés has accompanied singers and trios, as well as composed works for orchestras and large groups. His most recent work was ‘La Creación,’ created to celebrate his 80th birthday in 2021. It is a three-movement suite for a small ensemble, voices, and a big band, narrating the story of creation according to the Rule of Ocha, the Afro-Cuban religion.
