Chucho Valdés 85th Birthday Celebration

Pianist Chucho Valdés celebrates his 85th birthday with a special concert at the Music Center at Strathmore. A central figure in Afro-Cuban jazz, Valdés draws on a six-decade career that includes his work founding and leading Irakere, the groundbreaking band that combined Afro-Cuban ritual music with popular styles, jazz, rock, and classical influences.

The program features special guests Joe Lovano and Etienne Charles, with music spanning Valdés’s influential career. It also reflects his continuing work, including material connected to his 2025 album *Cuba and Beyond*, recorded with the Royal Quartet. A pre-concert ¡Baila Cuba! program features Cuban music, dance, and community activities.

When: Sunday, October 18, 2026

Showtime: 7:30 p.m.

Venue: Music Center at Strathmore

Performers: Chucho Valdés with special guests Joe Lovano and Etienne Charles

Program: Music from Valdés’s career in Afro-Cuban jazz, including work associated with Irakere and his more recent *Cuba and Beyond* project

Pre-concert program: ¡Baila Cuba!, featuring Cuban music, dance, and community

Tickets: Price not available