Tuesday, September 17, 2002

WILMINGTON, NC -- Cuban jazz pianist Chucho Valdés takes the stage in UNCW’s Kenan Auditorium at 8 p.m., Monday, Oct 7. The Chucho Valdés Quartet will treat the audience to its interpretation of the complexities of jazz and Cuban culture. This performance marks the opening of the 2002-03 Arts in Action Performance Series sponsored by the university’s Campus Activities and Involvement Center.

Quartet leader Chucho Valdés is a pianist, composer, bandleader, music professor and president of the Havana Jazz Festival. Other musicians who comprise the quartet are bassist Lazaro Alarcon, drummer Ramses Bazalt and percussionist Yaroldy Robles.

Valdés, a fleet-fingered artist steeped in classical music as well as Latin polyrhythms, is known for his synthesis of jazz, Caribbean and Afro-Cuban music. His enormous range and ability create “ferociously cerebral songs that break boundaries, cross oceans and are too spirited for any embargo to contain,” according to a review in The New York Times.

Valdés’ father, Bebo, served as musical director of the Havana-based Tropicana Casino and as his first piano teacher. Chucho Valdés began working on his fundamentals at the age of three. As a young student, he saw his father work with many stars of American music including Ray Brown, Buddy Rich, Dizzy Gillespie and Nat King Cole. He also received formal training in classical music and traditional Cuban music.

In 1965, Chucho joined the Elio Reve Orchestra and two years later helped co-found the legendary Orquesta de Mœsica Moderna. This band was a home for musicians like Valdés who were not only interested in traditional Cuban music but who wanted to play jazz and explore other modern styles. Saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera and trumpeter Arturo Sandoval were also members of this orchestra, which spawned the band Irakere in 1973. The group won a Grammy for their debut American album.

Series Continues Oct. 14

The Chucho Valdés Quartet is one of eight music, dance and theater events scheduled as part of UNCW’s 2002-03 Arts in Action Performance Series. Remaining events are:

Monday, Oct. 14

Keb’ Mo’, acclaimed acoustic blues singer

Saturday, Nov. 9

Koresh Dance Company, Philadelphia’s exhilarating contemporary dance company

Saturday, Jan. 18

William Bolcom and Joan Morris, award-winning piano duo

Thursday, Jan. 30

NC Jazz Festival Preview, Wilmington’s own jazz festival

Saturday, March 18

Eileen Ivers, star of the Irish fiddle

Friday, April 11

David Sedaris, best-selling author and satirist

Saturday, April 12

Dianne Reeves, Grammy award-winning jazz vocalist

Co-presentation with Thalian Hall

Box Office and Ticket Information

All performances are scheduled for 8 p.m. in Kenan Auditorium except for Dianne Reeves whose concert is set for Thalian Hall. Season tickets are available for the six “mainstage” performances until Oct. 7. They offer a 20 percent savings over the purchase of individual tickets as well as priority seating for all performances. A smaller “Choose-Your-Own-Series” option is available through Nov. 9. It offers a 10-percent savings over the purchase of tickets to four events. Individual tickets, on sale now, are $6 for UNCW students and children age 12 and under; $12 for UNCW faculty/staff and senior citizens; and $18 for all others.

For tickets, call the Kenan Auditorium Box Office at 910/962-3500 or 800-732-3643, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tickets for the Dianne Reeves concert may be purchased through Thalian Hall by calling 910/343-3664. Arts in Action Performance Series information is on the Web at www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/arts.