Multi-Grammy Award-winner and founder of the rhythmically innovative Latin jazz band Irakere, pianist Chucho Valdés has been hailed by The New York Times as “the dean of Latin jazz” and “one of the world’s great virtuosic pianists.” He has recorded over 80 CDs during his illustrious career, performing with countless jazz masters, including Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, and Chick Corea.

“Just when Valdés hits a repeating montuno … he erupts into a free jazz cadenza a la Cecil Taylor … he borrows liberally from the melodicism of Keith Jarrett, the strum-pum-pum of Chopin polonaises, the gospel soul of Ray Charles and myriad other sources. Most amazingly, these eccentricities may all inhabit the same song.” —All About Jazz