It may seem odd to have the show of the week on a Monday night, but this is one special occasion. And it’s free! The fine folks at the Jazz and Heritage Foundation have been presenting the Jazz Journey series for some time now. For the first time ever, they are bringing the Cuban piano legend to New Orleans.
We have our musical families and so does Cuba. Valdés father, Bebo, was a groundbreaking musician and his son has advanced the family legacy. Chucho was the leader of Irakere—one of the first Cuban supergroups that also featured Arturo Sandoval and Paquito D’Rivera.
For the performance tonight, Valdés will feature some less known names, but undoubtedly brilliant performers—percussionist Yaroldy Abreu Robes, drummer Rodney Yllarza Barreto, bassist Angel Gaston Yoya Perellada, and bata drummer and vocalist Dreiser Durruthy Bombale.
The inclusion of a bata player indicates that there will be some music directly connected to Africa through the Santeria religious tradition as well as great jazz. An amazing Cuban percussionist, Alexey Marti, who has been making his home in New Orleans and tearing up stages all over town, will be the opening act at 8 PM.
