Emilio Valdes was born in Havana, Cuba, part of a musical dynasty made famous by his grandfather, pianist, composer, arranger and Cuban Jazz musician, Bebo Valdes, followed by his father Chucho Valdes, creator of the vanguard afro Cuban jazz group Irakere and figurehead of Cuban music. Equipped with those 2 great influences he went off to study drums and percussion with Jose Luis Quintana(Changuito), the legendary Max Roach, Elvin Jones, Enrique Pla and Johnny Almendra. In 1993 Emilio left Cuba and went to Hamburg, Germany where he lived for 11 years. He traveled throughout Europe, working with Fun Factory (MTV-Europe), Radio and Television Orchestra, and Sergio Boré, with whom he recorded Tambores Urbanos. During his stay in Spain, Emilio taught drums and percussion at the Creative Music School (01’-03’). He was also invited to serve in drumming and percussion clinics by Giovanni Hidalgo (02’), Max Roach (96’), Gregg Bisonette (02’), and Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez (01’ – 03’). He toured extensively with the legendary Lonnie Liston Smith and Craig Handy....
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Emilio Valdes was born in Havana, Cuba, part of a musical dynasty made famous by his grandfather, pianist, composer, arranger and Cuban Jazz musician, Bebo Valdes, followed by his father Chucho Valdes, creator of the vanguard afro Cuban jazz group Irakere and figurehead of Cuban music. Equipped with those 2 great influences he went off to study drums and percussion with Jose Luis Quintana(Changuito), the legendary Max Roach, Elvin Jones, Enrique Pla and Johnny Almendra. In 1993 Emilio left Cuba and went to Hamburg, Germany where he lived for 11 years. He traveled throughout Europe, working with Fun Factory (MTV-Europe), Radio and Television Orchestra, and Sergio Boré, with whom he recorded Tambores Urbanos. During his stay in Spain, Emilio taught drums and percussion at the Creative Music School (01’-03’). He was also invited to serve in drumming and percussion clinics by Giovanni Hidalgo (02’), Max Roach (96’), Gregg Bisonette (02’), and Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez (01’ – 03’). He toured extensively with the legendary Lonnie Liston Smith and Craig Handy.
Emilio has also performed and collaborated with Bebo and Chucho Valdes as well as Giovanny Hidalgo, Diego El Cigala, Arturo O'Farrill, Jerry Gonzalez, Carlos Patato Valdes, John Mayer, George Benson , Mark Whitfield and his brother Chuchito Valdes. Since leaving Cuba he has been invited to perform with the University of Miami concert Jazz band, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as well as the Chicago Jazz Big Band with guests Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones.His record, "The Sweet Taste of Freedom", a collection of original compositions and tunes by Ellington, Miles Davis, Bebo Valdes is his first album as a leader and is available on iTunes. Emilio Valdes currently resides in New York City where he can be heard in any number of music venues performing with his group.
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