Chuchito Valdés © Andea Canter

"Chuchito Valdés displays the hell-bent intensity and daredevil technique of the elder Valdes – qualities recognized worldwide as hallmarks of Cuban jazz.” -- Neal Tesser (Chicago Reader)

There may be no greater legacy in jazz than the three generations of Cuban keyboard monsters named Valdes. Following grandpa Bebo and papa Chucho, Chuchito has recorded and performed with the world renowned band, Irakere, which he led for two years. On July 27-28, Chuchito brings his Afro-Cuban Ensemble to Chicago’s Green Mill. Joining the fiery pianist will be Laksar Reese on sax and flute, Kenny Anderson on trumpet, Jon Paul on bass, Ruben Alvarez on drums and Frankie Ocasio on congas. The ensemble’s repertoire includes Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz, traditional Cuban Dance classics, straight-ahead jazz and more, and features contemporary Afro-Cuban originals composed by Chuchito Valdes and original arrangements of classic Latin Jazz standards by father Chucho Valdes,Sr. and Irakere.

Chuchito Valdés © Andea Canter

In the late 90s, Chuchito led the famed Cuban band Irakare, the band that heavily influenced him as a teenager. "I have to say that the first Irakere band is my favorite. I would go with my father every day to rehearsals and see how Arturo Sandoval and Paquito D'Rivera would practice their passages. I experienced a great innovation in Cuban music, and it's one of the best things that's happened to me,” says Chuchito.

In addition to leading Irakare for 2 years, Valdes has performed at festivals, clubs and concerts throughout the world, from Cuba and the Caribbean throughout the United States and Europe. Chuchito currently lives in Cancun, Mexico where he leads his Afro-Cuban ensemble.

In composition and performance, Chuchito draws from the musical foundations of Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz, Bebop, Danzon, Cha-Cha-Cha, Son Montuno and more. "Be-bop is as hard to play as a Danzón. So you have to study a jazz piece to be able to interpret it the best possible way. What we take from jazz are the harmonic changes. It's very advanced and stretches chords beyond the seventh note. Jazz uses open and closed chords, polyphony and other things that we are drawing from to enrich Cuban music."

Laksar Reese © Andrea Canter

The Green Mill might be located in Chicago but, on July 27-28, you can experience a taste of Havana with Chuchito Valdes’ Afro-Cuban Ensemble. For information and reservations, visit www.greenmilljazz.com