Lorraine Gordon on Chucho Valdes

We asked Lorraine Gordon, owner of New York's legendary Village Vanguard, who has presented Chucho Valdés on many occasions, to recommend his highly anticipated concert in Barcelona (with the Afro-Cuban Messengers) on November 17th at the historic Palau de la Música. Here is her answer.

On November 1st, in New York City, the great Chucho Valdés made an appearance at the Village Vanguard. Chucho played to two packed houses -at 9 p.m and 11p.m.- and made the new Steinway piano sing with joy. It was a honor to have the maestro share his musical genius with us.The concert in Barcelona is an opportunity not to be missed!

L'1 de novembre, a Nova York, el gran Chucho Valdés va actuar al Village Vanguard. Chucho va tocar davant de dues sales plenes -a les 9 i a les 11 de la nit- i va fer cantar amb alegria el nou Steinway del club. Va ser un honor tenir el mestre compartint el seu geni musical amb nosaltres.¡El concert de Barcelona és una oportunitat que no s'ha de perdre!

El 1 de noviembre, en Nueva York, el gran Chucho Valdés actuó en el Village Vanguard. Chucho tocó ante dos salas repletas -a las 9 y a las 11 de la noche- e hizo cantar con alegría el nuevo Steinway del club. Fue un honor tener al maestro compartiendo su genio musical con nosotros.¡No hay que perderse el concierto de Barcelona!

—Lorraine GordonVillage Vanguard

Photo: Chucho Valdés and Lorraine Gordon at the Vanguard's kitchen in 2001.