Cucurucho Valdés Concerts

Experience Cucurucho Valdés

Cucurucho Valdés (born Jesús Rafael Valdés León, November 27, 1925, in Havana, Cuba – July 14, 2023) was a highly influential Cuban percussionist and composer, pivotal in the development of modern Cuban music. Initially gaining prominence as a member of the legendary Buena Vista Social Club in the 1990s revival, Valdés’s career spanned over seven decades. Before that international recognition, he was a founding member of the Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna in 1950 and collaborated extensively with composers like Ernesto Lecuona and Alejo Carpentier.

Valdés’s style is deeply rooted in *son cubano*, *mambo*, and *cha-cha-chá*, but infused with innovative rhythmic complexities and arrangements. He was renowned for his mastery of the *tres golpes* percussion technique and his ability to blend traditional Cuban sounds with jazz influences. He released several solo albums showcasing his compositional skills and virtuosity, including “Cucurucho” (1997) and “Inventando” (2000).