Chucho Valdes & The Afro Cuban Jazz Messengers, Gonzalo Rubalcaba

This meeting of Chucho Valdés and Gonzalo Rubalcaba brings together the leading living exponents of two generations in the great Cuban piano tradition.

Valdés is revered as the founder and composer of the seminal jazz/rock band Irakere, whilst Rubalcaba’s trio with Charlie Haden and Paul Motian remains a masterpiece of the art of the piano trio. Their historic relationship with the music of Cuba creates a piano duo of rare originality, with the music journeying from the popular and classical repertoire into the African-American jazz mainstream – especially the music of Thelonious Monk. This evening’s performance will also see new compositions from both artists.