Jazz Icons: Chucho Valdés Trio

On May 5 at 3pm, pianist Chucho Valdés, the most influential figure in modern Afro-Cuban jazz, will be joined by bassist Jose Armando Gola and percussionist Roberto Vizcaíno Jr. for what is sure to be a transcendent performance.

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In his career spanning more than 60 years, Cuban pianist, composer, and arranger Chucho Valdés has distilled elements of the Afro-Cuban music tradition, jazz, classical music, rock, and more into an organic, deeply personal style. He is perhaps best known as the founder, pianist, and leading composer and arranger of iconic Cuban ensemble Irakere (1973–2005). Winner of seven Grammy and six Latin Grammy Awards, Valdés received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences and was also inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Havana, Cuba native Jose Armando Gola plays both upright and electric bass and has toured internationally and performed at many major jazz festivals. He has worked with legendary artists such as Arturo Sandoval, Alejandro Sanz, Francisco Céspedes, Eldar Djangirov, Jennifer Lopez, Luis Enrique, and Gonzalo Rubalcaba and has appeared on both Grammy-nominated and Grammy-winning albums.

Robert Vizcaíno Jr., born in Havana, Cuba, discovered his passion for music at an early age, inspired by his percussionist father Roberto Vizcaíno. Together, they formed the duo Vizpercussion, presenting Roberto Vizcaíno’s Method for Teaching Latin Percussion in Xalapa, Veracruz, and at the Cultural Fair and Festival of Alfeñique Tocula in the State of Mexico. A highlight of his career was being invited by Chucho Valdés to perform at the inaugural Jazz Plaza Festival in Havana, Cuba.

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