Chucho Valdés

"The honour bestowed upon me today gives me the opportunity to participate directly in the fight against hunger in the world”.

Chucho Valdés is considered one of the finest pianists in the world and a great composer, with works such as Mambo Influenciado and Misa Negra, a composition that opened the way for current generations of Cuban musicians.

His artistic career and teaching have earned him the Cultura Nacional, Alejo Carpentier and Félix Varela medals in his country and other high distinctions, including Doctor Honoris Causa awards from universities in Canada and Cuba.

His huge talent, his prodigious hands with fingers that easily span an octave and his performances in famous venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Centre and Kennedy Centre in the United States, Ronnie Scott’s in the UK and the Carlos Marx and Amadeo Roldan theaters in Cuba, together with 14 Grammy nominations and five awards, are just some of the elements that have made Chucho Valdés a legend of jazz and music in general.

His music, with its strong Afro-Cuban influence, is a combination of powerful melody and flamboyant delivery counterpoised by masterly technique.

Chucho Valdés was nominated FAO Goodwill Ambassador on 16 October 2006.

Since his appointment, Chucho has starred in the TeleFood concert held in Havana, Cuba, in November 2006.

On 16 October 2007, within the framework of World Food Day, Mr. Valdes gave a most acclaimed concert in the Basílica Menor del Convento de San Francisco de Asís of La Habana, Cuba, together with his musical group. 

Chucho Valdes will star again in a World Food Day piano concert to be organized in Havana in October 2008.