Chucho Valdés, distinguished as Jazz Master 2025 in the USA Cubanet

MÉRIDA, Mexico – Legendary Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés has been honored as one of the 2025 Jazz Masters, the most important recognition a jazz musician can aspire to in the United States.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Kennedy Center also awarded the distinction to saxophonist Marshall Allen, pianist Marilyn Crispell and critic Gary Giddins, all Americans.

The 2025 Jazz Masters will be awarded on April 26 during the annual NEA Jazz Masters tribute concert at the Kennedy Center.

“I want to thank the Kennedy Center because I received the NEA Jazz Master. It is the highest recognition that the American nation gives to a musician. I also want to congratulate other artists who have received it. I am super happy, super grateful and more music,” said the Cuban, in a video posted on his Instagram.

The Jazz Master had previously been awarded to Cuban musicians Paquito D’Rivera in 2005 and Cándido Camero in 2008.

In February of this year, D’Rivera and Valdés, along with Arturo Sandoval, starred in a tribute concert in Miami to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the founding of the legendary group Irakere.

Chucho Valdés, legend of Cuban music

Chucho Valdés was born in Quivicán, in the current province of Mayabeque. At just three years old he began his musical training, influenced by his father, the Afro-Cuban jazz pianist Bebo Valdés (1918-2013), who was coincidentally born on October 9. At 15 he had already formed his first jazz trio with Emilio del Monte and Luis Rodríguez.

In December 1958 he worked as a pianist at the Deauville and St. John hotels in Havana. Between 1961 and 1963 he worked as a pianist at the Teatro Martí, the International Hall of the Hotel Habana Riviera and in the orchestra of the Musical Theatre of Havana.

One of the great moments of his career came in 1973, when he founded the group Irakere. The Cuban jazz orchestra brought together a group of renowned musicians who made great contributions to Latin jazz.

He was declared a Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 2006.

He has performed on important stages around the world and is considered by experts to be one of the best pianists internationally.

Among his numerous awards are several Grammy Awards and Latin Grammys.

Since 2010, Valdés has lived between Malaga and Miami, and on several occasions has expressed his opposition to the situation on the island, referring to repression and economic hardship.

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