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JLCO Celebrates Chucho Valdes, Pedrito Martinez & Wynton Marsalis


Since the late 1990s, JALC has celebrated Cuban music with collaborations with some of the island nation’s finest musicians like Celia Cruz, Israel “Cachao” López, Candido Camero, and Bebo Valdés, including a landmark Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra residency in 2010. Continuing this tradition, the 2014-15 season will open with a world premiere commission featuring influential pianist, composer, and arranger Chucho Valdés; rising star percussionist and vocalist Pedrito Martinez; and JALC’s own Wynton Marsalis. Together, they will blend jazz with the traditional folkloric music of Cuba and the Santeria religion to create a work that illustrates the ability of music to elevate us from social and political unrest to the greatest heights of humanity. Valdés, a multi-GRAMMY® Award winner, is a major cultural force both as a highly successful solo artist, and as an elder statesman of the Afro-Cuban Messengers. Martinez has taken the Latin jazz world by storm, placing first in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition in 2000, performing on more than 100 recordings to date, and leading his own vivacious, self-titled group. Drawing from the multi-ethnic underpinnings of Afro-Cuban music, this performance will explore the ties that bind us and commemorate the rich history of Cuban culture.

Free pre-concert discussion nightly, 7pm.

Jazz At Lincoln Center
60th & Broadway @ Columbus Circle

Thurs, Sept 18 | 8:00p
Fri, Sept 19 | 8:00p
Sat, Sept 20 | 8:00p

 

Earlier Event: August 26
Japan Tour with Kengo Nakamura
Later Event: September 24
JLCO Fall Tour 2014 Sept 24 - Oct 14