THE LEGENDARY JAZZ AND LATIN MUSIC MASTER
CHUCHO VALDES HEADLINES A HISTORIC EVENING WITH
THE CHICO O'FARRILL AFRO CUBAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA
SPECIAL GUESTS GRACIELA
AND THE SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA AT LEHMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
SAT., FEBRUARY 28, 2004 AT 8PM
(Bronx, NY) - For one spectacular evening, Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in association with Robert Rodríguez and Joe Conzo proudly present an exclusive and historic concert with Chucho Valdes , the senior statesmen of Cuban Jazz music. Valdes will be joined by the Chico O'Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, directed by Arturo O'Farrill, special guests Graciela and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra . The concert will be on Sat., February 28, 2004 at 8pm at Lehman Center, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. W. on the campus of Lehman College in the Bronx. Tickets cost $25/$30/$35 and $40, and can be purchased by calling the Lehman Center box office at 718-960-8833 (Mon. through Fri., 10am-5pm and beginning at 12 noon on the day of the concert), or through 24 hour online access at
www.LehmanCenter.org. Lehman Center is accessible by #4 or D train to Bedford Park Blvd., and is off the Saw Mill River Pkwy and Major Deegan Exprwy. Free attended parking is available.
Chucho Valdes is a giant in the world of Afro-Cuban Jazz and Traditional Cuban Music. He is known as the pioneering master of modern Afro-Cuban music who has the skill to use the entire keyboard to produce every possible mood, from smooth solo meditations to fiery, rhythmic attacks. He was a child prodigy, beginning to play the piano at age 3. His father, pianist Bebe Valdes, was a mainstay at Havana's Tropicana Club during Cuba's swinging 1950s, so famous musicians were always in the Valdes home. He studied classical piano, was exposed to Son, Danzon and other Cuban folk forms that had grown from Latin and African origins, and deepened his knowledge of the African roots with studies in Yoruban rhythms and language. In 1967, Chucho Valdes formed the Orquesta Cubana de Musica Moderne, from which came Irakere - one of the world's most famous Afro-Cuban Jazz bands. A multi-Grammy winner, Valdes has performed through out the world from small jazz clubs in Havana and New York's West Village to grand stages in Europe and Latin America, and a solo concert at Lincoln Center.
Chico O'Farrill was "one of the primary music alchemists who naturally blended Latin American and African rhythms with bebop jazz in a compelling way that actually influenced many kinds of modern music," according to his producer Todd Barkan. He worked with all of the masters including Machito and Puente. Chico's legacy continues through his son, Arturo O'Farrill, Jr. who leads the Chico O'Farrill Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra.
Graciela Grillo Pérez, known as Graciela is one of the most well-loved singers of Afro-Cuban Jazz and Mambo . She was the wife of the legendary musician Mario Bauza and the sister of Machito, one of the three Mambo Kings. Her professional music start was with the all woman Orquesta Anacaona in 1933 in Havana, but sang for most of her musical career with Machito's Orchestra. She developed her signature style with her bold interpretations of Rumba and her chilling vocal attack of heart wrenching love songs.
The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, comprised of some of today's most prominent musicians, quickly soared to popularity and earned a 2003 Grammy nomination for Best Salsa Album. The group is the bridge between the legacy of Salsa and Afro Latin Jazz and the influence of the sounds and rhythms that originated in New York City's El Barrio.
Coming soon to Lehman Center is Salsa-Palooza with India, Willie Colon, Jose Alberto "El Canario," and Kevin Ceballo with the Isidro Infante Orchestra and the Salsa-sational, storytelling family event, SOFRITO with David Gonzalez and Larry Harlow and his Latin Legends Band featuring Bobby Sanabria and Yomo Toro.
Lehman Center receives support from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
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