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• 10 / 30 / 2008

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Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes’ success in Europe and the Middle East, where he played for several months as part of a tour received with abundant applause and praise by audiences used to musical genres following the customs of every people can be considered resounding.

Chucho, a constant champion of the magnificent Afro-Cuban jazz, shared the stage in Lebanon with French singer Michel Legrand, the composer of the musical score for Les Parapluies de Cherbourg (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg).

“I actually had never been in Lebanon, a country where French is commonly spoken and where Legrand’s music is very well-known and liked,” said the winner of several Grammys. This cultural event was considered one of the most significant in the history of that nation, whose people are well acquainted with various jazz genres and Cuban music in general.

Jazz by Chucho Valdes, the son of Bebo Valdes, a legendary musician who left Cuba for Sweden in the ‘60s, was also heard in Italy, France, Portugal and Spain. In this last country, he talked with Dyango, to specify some details on an album they are both planning. It will be a production of boleros which, according to the Cuban pianist, will be “beautiful.” It will be recorded in Havana studios and they have not been able to start because they are still trying to make a good selection of 12 pieces among so much good romantic music in existence.

The album will include boleros by Cubans Cesar Portillo de la Luz and Jose Antonio Mendez.

Chucho Valdes informed too that he is also planning an album of songs with tenor Placido Domingo. There are some details to work out yet, he said, but they expect to enter the studios next year, “an idea that pleases me enormously because of the chance to work very closely with one of the most important figures in world art.”

Also, very soon Bebo and Chucho Valdes will have an album where father and son will sit at the piano to show their absolute mastery of this important instrument.
(www.cubanow.net)