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3 unusual facts about Chucho Valdes


Benny Moré

Moré is remembered in the 2006 film, El Benny, which is based on parts of his life, and includes new versions of his songs performed by musicians including Chucho Valdés, Juan Formell and Orishas.

Chucho Valdés

In 2008 Sony released an album of Chucho playing with his father Bebo Valdés.

Chucho has won four Grammy awards: in 1978 for the album Live at Newport by Irakere; in 1998 for his contribution to the CD Havana by his band Crisol (formed in 1997), with two songs - "Mr. Bruce" and "Mambo para Roy" - written by Chucho; in 2003 for his album Live at the Village Vanguard; and in 2011 for his album Chucho's Steps.


Carlos Emilio Morales

In 1967, Morales became a founding member of the Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna, an 18-piece big band conceived and directed by Armando de Sequeira Romeu, which featured players such as Chucho Valdés, Paquito D'Rivera, Arturo Sandoval and Carlos Averhoff, among others, who together with Morales founded the Irakere group in 1973.

El Benny

It includes new versions of his songs performed by musicians including Chucho Valdés, Juan Formell, Haila and Orishas.

Moving Forward

At the Latin Grammy Awards of 2009, Moving Forward was nominated for the Best Latin Jazz Album, it was beaten by Bebo Valdés y Chucho Valdés' Juntos Para Siempre.

Omar Puente

Throughout this time he was also learning about popular Cuban music and jazz, from musicians such as Chucho Valdes and Arturo Sandoval, as well as playing in clubs, and after leaving the NSOC he toured the world in groups such as the José María Vitier band and the Orquesta Enrique Jorrín (with Ruben Gonzalez of the Buena Vista Social Club).

Santi Debriano

He returned to New York City and has since worked with Don Pullen, Pharoah Sanders, Sonny Fortune, Billy Hart, Larry Coryell, Chucho Valdés, Hank Jones, Cecil Taylor, Randy Weston, Freddie Hubbard, Kirk Lightsey, and Attila Zoller.


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