Living Traditions Featured Performers

Chuchito Valdés Quartet

Born in Havana, Cuba, Chuchito Valdés comes from one of the most distinguished families of Cuban jazz. His famed father Chucho Valdés and grandfather Bebo Valdés are legendary musicians and Chuchito continues the heritage of these great Cuban piano players. His music is described as reinvigorating age-old Cuban musical forms, “revitalized by the muscular virtuosity of a mostly young generation of the most sophisticated kind.”

Chuchito is recognized as a master at Cuban music forms including Son, Danzon, Cuban Timba and Guaguanco. He has studied classical music as well, and his original compositions and arrangements draw on classical harmonic and structural techniques, resulting in lyrical, flamboyant and sizzling performances of daredevil technique. Chuchito Valdés currently resides in Cancun, Mexico and is a frequent performer in the United States and Canada.

Chuchito Valdés Quartet
Friday, May 16th
8:30 p.m., North Stage

Son De Madera

Son de Madera is a legendary musical group sustaining the Son Jarocho traditions of Southern Veracruz, Mexico. Virtuosos and incendiary, the performers of Son de Madera represent this music and dance tradition from the traditional fandango (musical fiesta) of the Mexican state of Veracruz. The group formed in 1992 to compose intricate new musical arrangements based on their thorough musicological research of Fandango and Son Jarocho, which combines Spanish melodies, African rhythms and Indian influences.

Traditional scoring and arrangements are enriched by the incorporation of unique instruments, including the cinco zapotero, marimbol, jarana and the dance box known as tarima. Son de Madera’s consummate musicianship and commitment to the song and dance of this region of Mexico energizes their performance and ignites the stage.

Son De Madera
Saturday, May 17th
8:00 p.m., North Stage

Buille

buille Buille has been described as “a classic of new Irish music.” These three musicians – Niall Valelly on concertina, Paul Meehan on guitar and Caoimhin Vallely on piano – formed the band in 2004. Built on the traditional Irish forms, the music of Buille expands the tradition to include influences from the worlds of jazz and classical music.

Armagh-born Niall Vallely is considered one of the most original and distinctive voices in Irish music. A former member of the Cork-based band NOMOS, he has been acclaimed throughout the world as one of Ireland's greatest concertina players. Paul Meehan was introduced to Irish music in Manchester during a flourishing Irish music scene, beginning on the banjo and now concentrating on the guitar. He has played with many musicians and is currently a member of one of Ireland’s foremost traditional bands, Lunasa. Niall’s younger brother, Caoimhin, began tin whistle lessons at the Armagh Pipers Club and moved on to fiddle-playing. He earned his MA in Traditional Music Performance at the University of Limerick.

Buille
Saturday, May 17, 9:00 pm
Sunday, May 18, 2:00 pm
North Stage