Chucho Valdes Featuring Irakere Latin Jazz Founders Available On DVD On July 12, 2005 Through Music Video Distributors

Oaks, PA - Music Video Distributors and Disconforme are pleased to announce the home viewing release of CHUCHO VALDES featuring IRAKERE - LATIN JAZZ FOUNDERS for US distribution on DVD.

This DVD tells the story of one of the most legendary groups in modern Cuban popular music: Irakere. Irakere won a Grammy in 1979, and their repertoire remains a prime example of the American and Cuban musicians impassioned dialog.

The brilliant pianist Jesus "Chucho" Valdes, the son of legendary Cuban pianist Bebo Valdes, founded in 1973 Irakere - named for an Yoruba word meaning "Forest" or "Jungle". The band produced several major headliners over the years, notably trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera, and his sound is a lush but quirky synthesis of Valdes Afro-Cuban heritage and early classical training, plus Bebop jazz. He draws heavily upon Cuban Folk sources, tradition rhythms, and country dance, but is just as likely to channel the spirits of Dizzy Gillespie or Charlie Parker.

An incredibly inventive and fluid pianist, revered as national treasure in Cuba, Chucho writes most of the band's compositions and arrangements.

This DVD features live performances and interviews with Chucho and Oscar Valdes, Carlos Emilio Morales, Enrique Pla, Jose Luis Cortes, Julio Padron, Cesar Lopez, German Velazco, Jorge Reyes, and Basilio Marques.

DVD

Item# DVD2869048

UPC# 022892804894

Street Date 07/12/05

Prebook cut off 06/07/05

Running time minutes

Audio: 5.1

Retail 19.95