Chicago Jazz Orchestra will perform with pianist Chuchito Valdés

[Lois Gilbert]

Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra will perform with pianist Chuchito Valdés and his ensemble original arrangements and compositions by his grandfather Bebo, his father Chucho, and Chuchito himself. Many of these arrangements were be trascribed from original recordings, and these live performances will be U.S. premieres of many of these works. The concert will take place on Sunday, February 11th at 3:00 p.m. at the Thorne Auditorium, 375 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago.

Born in Havana Cuba, Jesus "Chuchito" Valdés comes from one of the most distinguished musical families in Cuba. He has recorded and performed piano with the world renown Cuban band, Irakere, which he led for 2 years (The band had been founded by ChuchoValdés) . He has performed at festivals, clubs and concerts throughout the world: from Cuba and the Caribbean, across the United States and South America, and throughout Europe.

In his youth he studied with many Cuban masters, such as the great Cuban pianist, Chucho Valdés (who is also his father). Chuchito is recognized as a master at Cuban music including Mambo, Danzon, and Cuban Timba and Guaguanco. He has also extensively studied classical music including harmony and composition. When he is not traveling around the world performing, Chuchito lives in Cancun, Mexico where he leads his Afro-Cuban based Latin-Jazz ensemble. His original compositions and arrangements draw on classical harmonic and structural techniques.


CJO Conductor and Artistic Director, Jeff LindbergComposed of Chicago's top musicians, the Chicago Jazz Orchestra is Chicago's oldest professional jazz orchestra in continuous operation and one of the oldest jazz repertory orchestras in the country.

Conductor and Artistic Director Jeff Lindberg is one of the foremost transcribers in jazz. As a result, the Orchestra's repertoire draws upon his vast library, which includes the works of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Benny Carter, Oliver Nelson, Ray Charles, and many others.

The CJO is recognized internationally, having been the resident orchestra for The Kennedy Center Honors for the past sixteen years. The orchestra has toured Europe twice, including performances in Italy, Spain, Denmark, and Sweden. The CJO's 2006 performances included a sold-out Spoleto Festival USA performance with singer Kurt Elling, an electrifying "Tribute to Artie Shaw" at the Ravinia Festival, and a blockbuster "Battle of the Bands" with the Count Basie Orchestra at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, Chicago. The CJO's recent compact disc Clark Terry and Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra: George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess (Americana Music) has received widespread critical acclaim, including a rare "FIVE-STAR" rating from Downbeat magazine, and a nomination as "Jazz Album of The Year" by the Jazz Journalists' Association.

"It takes pinpoint precision to make such writing sing, and conductor Lindberg made it happen. When the band focused on a unison long note, the sound shot from the stage like a laser. This is what repertory jazz should be: not a tepid re-creation of work, but a chance to hear how skillfully blended instrumental voices can set a room humming." -Kevin Whitehead, Chicago Sun-Times

Pianist Chuchito Valdés and his emsemble perform with Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra on Sunday, February 11th at 3:00 p.m. at the Thorne Auditorium, 375 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago. For more information call 312-409-3947 or visit chicagojazzorchestra.com.