Chucho Valdés 5tet "Jazz Batá 2"
Omar Sosa & Yilian Cañizares

With his spade-like hands capable of being as delicate as a lace maker, the godfather of Cuban jazz Chucho Valdés (six Grammies and three Latin Grammy Awards) is back with Jazz Batá 2 (2018). 47 years after his first eponymous volume, the giant has brought the influence of the famous batá drum into modern times (sacred Yoruba religious instrument in Cuba). So he's revived the concept of his 1972 Jazz Batá album. At the time, this simple trio project with no drums was experimental. The pianist may have dropped the small band after the roaring success of Irakere (from 1973) but he's always wanted to go back to it. So he has, "with a wider panorama and quintet", says Jésus "Chucho" Valdès. His father Bebo Valdès, the inventor of batanga beats in 1952, taught him music. The album and tour coming our way also mark the centenary of Ramón "Bebo" Valdés (1918-2013) and Chucho's 77th birthday (they were both born on October 9th). The trumpet player Roy Hargrove was a regular at Jazz à Vienne and passed away in November 2018. His unforgettable performance with his quintet at the Roman Theatre on July 12th will remain an incredible memory of the bond between the trumpet player and Vienne audience. The Cuban maestro Chucho Valdès remembers getting a Grammy for his involvement in Roy Hargrove's American-Cuban project Crisol 20 years ago (1998). The Louisiana trumpet player Terence Blanchard is the quintet's special guest and will replicate Roy's flair and talent in this moving tribute.

Line-up : Chucho Valdes (p), Terence Blanchard (t), Yelsy Heredia (cb), Yaroldy Abreu (perc, v), Dreiser Durruthy (Batas, v), Abraham Mansfarroll (perc)

Crédit photo: © C. Friedman, DR

Since leaving Cuba in 1993 and his first albums (Omar Omar and Free Roots, in 1997), Omar Sosa has been on quite a journey. The pianist's thrilling melting pot music is rooted in his Afro-Cuban background, jazz, hip hop, electro, world music and Yoruba spirituality. He formed an incredible trio with Paolo Fresu and Trilok Gurtu to visit us in 2016 for his thirtieth album (Eros). Following Transparent Water bottled with Seckou Keita's kora and the faithful Cuban percussionist Gustavo Ovalles, the Es:sensual (2018) escape with the NDR Bigband and Jacques Morelenbaum, the pianist in white is back with the singer and violinist Yilian Cañizares (born in Havana, based in Switzerland). They've just recorded Agua together, another album devoted to water and specifically Oshun, the goddess of love and spirit of rivers. Something special was sparked with Yilian who came into the public eye with two vibrant albums (Ochumare and Invocacíon). Omar Sosa: "Agua reflects our traditions, our emotions and our nostalgia. I'm 53, Yilian is 35, and together we create meditative music that exudes modesty, peace and dignity. No gimmicks! Everyone thinks that Cuban music is fabulous and should make you want to dance but Cuba has so much more to offer."

Line-up : Omar Sosa (p), Yilian Cañizares (v, vln), Gustavo Ovalles (perc)

Crédit photo: © F. Socha