Jazz Articles about Chucho Valdes

like 151

Chucho Vald?s: New Conceptions

by Javier AQ Ortiz
December 15, 2003

Latin jazz’s premiere quartet issues yet another skillful interpretation of Ellingtoniana, straight-ahead jazz and blues tenets – as well as Afro-Cuban music – in a compact, exhilarating release. Jesïs “Chucho” Valdïs is at what might be the zenith of his career, as his chops ably attest. New Conceptions features the usual muscularity, intensity and intellectual reach of the pianist’s Blue Note releases. This time he’s expounding upon them in a small group setting produced by Renï Lïpez, whose musical career ...

like 213

Chucho Vald?s: New Conceptions

by Jim Santella
December 7, 2003

His quartet and guests give Chucho Valdïs an eclectic atmosphere through which he parades his enthusiasm for American jazz and traditional Cuban music. His heavy piano tirades provide the kind of strength that is needed when one pumps up the volume with Latin percussionists in abundance right and left. Soloists from Irakere share the spotlight this time out, and Valdïs creates evolving scenery in which each can improvise freely. Even the straight-ahead “Solar,” with its familiar melody and typical mainstream ...

like 303

Chucho Valdes: New Conceptions

by Norman Weinstein
November 2, 2003

The album title is misleading. It is more than about time for the immensely talented Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes to come up with a wholly new musical concept for an album, particularly since he has been repeating the “Tyner-meets-Tatum in Havana" mode for many years. What sounds freshest here are polyrhythmic workouts with drummers Yaroldy Abreau Robles and Ramses Rodriguez Baralt on original Valdes tunes synthesizing Afro-Cuban religious drum rhythms with waves of thunderous piano riffs by Valdes. What sounds ...

like 173

Chucho Valdes: New Conceptions

by Dan McClenaghan
October 25, 2003

Half in jest, perhaps, Chucho Valdes calls the music he's developing “Cubanglish," a synthesis of Afro-Cuban and American jazz sounds that is unparalleled. On New Conceptions, the sixty year old pianist works with his quartet plus some well-chosen guest artists, in a break from his big band, Irakere; and what you get here is a purer pared-down example of Chucho Valdes' genius.Valdes combines a technical mastery of his instrument with an exuberant vision as clear as any. He's ...

like 168

Chucho Vald: Fant

by Jim Santella
August 3, 2002

A solo piano album can work wonders for your soul. The music drives deeply with personal reflections that we’ve been learning, little by little, since childhood. Thanks to composers such as Chopin, Debussy, Ravel and Ernesto Lécuona, we’ve shared much over the years. Chucho Valdés pays homage to each of them and adds his originals. Sparkling suites that change mood as the landscapes come and go provide much room for contemplation. Valdés gives us a lot to think about. Like ...

like 165

Chucho Valdes: Solo: Live in New York

by James Nichols
June 1, 2001

It’s a wonderful thing that Chucho Valdes has found such a healthy outlet for his aggression. Valdes demonstrates a dizzying exuberance at the piano during this 1998 solo date recorded at Lincoln Center's Kaplan Penthouse. Thoroughout the date it sounds like Valdes can barely contain his enthusiasm. Just when Valdes hits a repeating montuno and solicits clapping along from the audience he erupts into a free jazz cadenza ala Cecil Taylor. The clapping very abruptly tapers off.

Valdes displays amazing ...

like 220

Chucho Valdes: Solo-Live in New York

by James Nichols
May 1, 2001

It’s a wonderful thing that Chucho Valdes has found such a healthy outlet for his aggression. Valdes demonstrates a dizzying exuberance at the piano during this 1998 solo date recorded at Lincoln Center's Kaplan Penthouse. Thoroughout the date it sounds like Valdes can barely contain his enthusiasm. Just when Valdes hits a repeating montuno and solicits clapping along from the audience he erupts into a free jazz cadenza ala Cecil Taylor. The clapping very abruptly tapers off. Valdes displays amazing ...