Chucho Valdés delivered a captivating solo performance at NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, where he showcased his profound mastery and improvisational skills on the piano. He kicked off with the classic 1978 “Mambo Influenciado,” in which he juxtaposed traditional Cuban piano rhythms on one hand with more progressive melodies in the other in six unpredictable minutes.
“This work that I’m going to perform, it doesn’t exist,” he told the crowd in attendance at NPR’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. “I am going to improvise something and when I finish, it will be a [new] song. I want to do it like that, spontaneous, natural, I don’t want to plan.” He appropriately called the song “Impromptu Desk.” This rare appearance by the virtuoso offered an intimate glimpse into his expansive musical journey and ongoing influence.
His 20-minute performance also included “Ponle la Clave,” translating to “add the clave,” a traditional percussion instrument that’s popular in his native country. “Generally, Cuban music — four by four, six by eight, the measures — are not simple ones. Many years ago, it occurred to me to make a symmetrical theme, to see how to put the clave in a seven … I composed this song when I was very young, in the ’60s,” he added.
At 82 years old, Valdés, whose career spans six decades, continues to blend jazz, classical and Cuban musical traditions into breathtaking improvisations. On Aug. 30, he will release a new album called Cuba & Beyond.
Throughout his prolific career, the Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning artist has landed on multiple Billboard charts, including 2010’s El Último Trago at No. 8 on Latin Pop Albums and No. 40 on Top Latin Albums, and earned a total of eight entries on the Jazz Albums chart.
He is scheduled to headline the 20th annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival on Sept. 7.
Watch Valdés’ “Tiny Desk” performance below:
