Chucho Valdés La Creación

One of the world's great pianists, Chucho Valdés is a virtuoso of seemingly limitless abilities and a giant among Cuban musicians. He is the son of the esteemed pianist Bebo Valdés and a true prodigy who led his first trio at 15. In 1973, Valdés co-founded the legendary band Irakere with Paquito D'Rivera and Arturo Sandoval, which became the most important group in Cuba. Over his amazing career, Valdés has led more than 20 albums and won multiple Grammy Awards. He has collaborated with several of the most prominent pianists, including Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Kenny Barron, Gonzalo Rubalcaba and others. In 2000, Valdés was inducted into the Latin Jazz Hall of Fame with fellow trailblazers Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri and Lalo Schifrin. Most recently he's come full-circle, recording the Grammy-nominated duet album Juntos para Siempre with his father, a release which combines traditional Cuban music and fresh interpretations of jazz standards. For Chucho Valdés, going into his father's business was clearly the right move -- and Latin jazz hasn't been the same since.