Chucho Valdés and Pablo Milanés in Concert in July

May 1, 2022

Renowned Cuban jazz musician Chucho Valdés spoke with the international press about his upcoming appearance on stage with singer-songwriter Pablo Milanés, on July 5th at the XI edition of Starlite Catalana Occidente.

Valdés stated "I believe it will be a historic concert," which will feature as guests, in addition to Milanés, Pancho Céspedes, Javier Ojeda and Efecto Mariposa.

"We will play their most emblematic songs and there will be some surprises, so on July 5th we have an appointment at Starlite Catalana Occidente in Marbella," added the internationally renowned jazz musician.

Regarding his influences, Valdés mentioned musicians Bebo Valdés —his father—, Ernesto Lecuona, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington and some Spanish classics.

When asked by the press about the most memorable moment of his career so far, he recalled when in 1980 he won the first Grammy Award in the history of musicians residing on the Island and "when I reunited with my father after 18 years, those were the most memorable moments of my life," he added.

According to Sandra García-Sanjuán, director of the Spanish Festival, "it will be a very special night and above all a unique and unrepeatable night. Starlite Catalana Occidente is always seeking to immortalize moments in people's memories that are highlights and that make you feel that you have been part of something unique and unrepeatable. We are always looking for that magic and we do everything possible to achieve it. For me this concert of Chucho and friends on his 80th birthday, being one of the number 1 artists in the world, with 11 Grammys, and whom we admire greatly, I believe will be one of the most emblematic moments in the history of Starlite Catalana Occidente."

García-Sanjuán explained that for Valdés' 80th birthday "the idea was to bring together great friends of Chucho, who have shared moments of his life with him. For example, Milanés and Pancho are Cuban, and they are lifelong friends. All of their history, their beginnings, are shared. Bringing together maestro Chucho Valdés with great figures of Cuban music, so emblematic, is magical. Furthermore, Chucho wanted to have great friends from his life in Spain, like Javier Ojeda or Efecto Mariposa, and they are neighbors who have also shared many moments, as Chucho has a home here, and is a lover of the Costa del Sol and European culture. These friends have shared many moments with him. He has been in Miami, in Spain, and all over the world, but his friends have always meant home to him. It will be a gathering of friends, as if they were getting together at his house, where they would do their rehearsals, but coming to mine, which is Starlite."