# The renowned singer Mayra Caridad Valdés has passed away

**Date:** 11/12/2019

The renowned singer Mayra Caridad Valdés passed away last Saturday, November 9th at the age of 63. Her body was laid out at the Santa Catalina funeral home. With her death, Cuban music loses one of its best interpreters.

Sister of musician Chucho Valdés and daughter of the celebrated pianist Bebo Valdés and Pilar Rodríguez, the vocalist championed Cuban music on various stages around the world, performing varied genres and was an active part of Chucho's presentations.

A graduate in Choral Music from the National School of Art, she was discovered by Harry Belafonte in 1981, who had her accompany him on numerous tours conducted by the American singer on the island and abroad. She was the voice of the Tropicana cabaret during the 90s and finally settled in Irakere as part of the band.

Among her unforgettable interpretations is Drume Negrita, by Eliseo Grenet Sánchez. Her debut as a soloist was with the album La Diosa del Mar (2002), accompanied by the musicians of Irakere. Once this recording is heard, one speaks of the versatility, clean vocal technique and capacity for improvisation, which makes her a reference point within the island. It was nominated for best Latin jazz album and recording.

This release is followed by the album Obatalá, estoy aquí. Produced and directed by Chucho, it focuses on the search for a wide range of themes and genres taking advantage of the singer's versatility. Here the vocalist played with jazz standards such as On Green Dolphin Street, or the Mambo Influenced and Maculele, by Chucho himself. In this phonogram, the artist's capacity for improvisation stands out as she traverses vocal registers similar to the harmony of instruments, as well as with the polyrhythm of Cuban percussion.

This album, in which the extraordinary talent of both siblings is perceived, obtained two nominations at Cubadisco 2008: one in Fusion and the other as best vocal instrumental artist.