Chucho Valdés

Five Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards are testimony to Chucho Valdés’ standing as one of Cuba’s finest jazz pianists.

His group Irakere, which he founded in 1973, went on to become one of Cuba's best-known and influential Latin jazz bands. They were also the first Cuban group to earn a Grammy, for their album Misa Negra.

Valdés has toured more than 80 countries in his distinguished career, playing with a rich mix of musicians including Carlos Santana, Dizzy Gillespie and Herbie Hancock.

His father is Bebo Valdés, a revered Cuban pianist and former director of Havana’s famous Tropicana band. Father and son released an album together in 2008.

Valdés became an FAO Goodwill Ambassador in 2006, saying: “The honour bestowed upon me gives me the opportunity to participate directly in the fight against hunger in the world.”

He has since played several concerts in Havana to mark World Food Day. In addition, he recorded a song Haiti volverá (Haiti Will Return) for the victims of that country’s earthquake in 2010, donating the rights to FAO and its efforts to assist the recovery effort.