Chucho Valdes “The Creation” Suite – Paris Philharmonie w Dianne Reeves & Joe Lovana

Chucho Valdés
1. Piano solo
2. The Creation with the Keystone Big Band
Hilario Durán & John Beasley (Music Director) – co-arrangers/conductors

The great Cuban pianist and composer Jesús “Chucho” Valdés presents La Creación (The Creation), his new work for big band, Afro-Cuban percussion and vocals. A suite in four movements, La Creación explores the story of creation according to the Regla de Ocha, the Afro-Cuban religion known as Santería. It is an extraordinary testament to an extraordinary career.

“This new work represents the accumulation of all my experiences and everything I’ve learned in music,” says Valdés, who will celebrate his 80th birthday in October. “This is a moment of full maturity, personally and musically, and I feel prepared to do this work.”

La Creación represents a return to big-band sonorities for Valdés. The pieces include elements of Santería ritual music, African music, the blues and what Valdés describes as “an atmosphere in the style of Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew.”

“This work is very significant to me,” Valdés says. “I think it’s my masterpiece — so far.”