Cuba's best jazz pianist to give concert at WSU

Cuba's most renowned jazz pianist and his quintet are making Wichita State one of their stops on the group's first U.S. tour.

Jesus "Chucho" Valdes and his fellow musicians will open the College of Fine Art's Connoisseur Series with a Sept. 24 concert at 7:30 p.m. in Miller Concert Hall.

The 6-foot, 6-inch Valdes is an imposing presence on the stage. His sure-handed virtuosity, his quick ear, his grasp of structure and his encyclopedic knowledge of all music styles are put at the service of the drama of his playing.

A New York Times reviewer wrote, "Mr. Valdes' solos, mixing shiny, splashed note clusters with tumbaos and terrifying risky runs, brought him several standing ovations."

Valdes, born in 1941, began to play the piano at age 3. His first teacher was his father, the well-known pianist, bandleader and composer Bebo Valdes. At a young age he was in the midst of such distinguished company as singer and bandleader Beny More and internationally renowned composer/pianist Ernesto Lecuona.

At age 16 Valdes organized his first jazz trio and by 18 had had two records for RCA Victor. In 1967, he co-founded the famed Orquesta de M‚sica Moderna, for which he also composed.

In 1973 Valdes founded Irakere, the now-legendary group that transformed popular Cuban music. An alumnus of the group, Jos Luis Corts (today leader of NG La Banda) said in an interview that if Los Van Van was Cuba's Beatles, Irakere was its Rolling Stones. Irakere was the first modern Cuban group signed to a U.S. label (Columbia) and its debut album won a Grammy.

Other Connoisseur Series performances are: Hubbard Street Dance, Oct. 2; Amerigo Ensemble, Jan. 22; the musical "Blues in the Night," April 1; and pianist Tommy Flanagan, April 18. A bonus event, not included in the subscription series, is the Sean Curran Dance Company, Oct. 30.

Individual tickets for the Connoisseur Series start at $16, with discounts available. Subscription packages for all five events or for any three events are available. Packages start at $60 with discounts available. Call ext. 3233 for more information or for reservations.