Home » Jazz Musicians » Irakere
Irakere
Contemporary Afro-Cuban JazzIrakere
by Roy Strassman
Irakere Jazz Alley Seattle, WA October 31, 2000 Last night Irakere, the cutting-edge Havana based group which pioneered both the fusion of classical Cuban music and jazz and the melding of the culture's traditional instruments with electric ones, opened for a week's stint at Seattle's Jazz Alley. Absent their gifted pianist, leader and primary composer/arranger, Chucho" Valdes and all but one of the original stellar members, the current incarnation of Irakere still managed ...
read moreIrakere featuring Chucho Valdes: Yemay
by Jim Santella
Taking its name from a forest region in Africa where percussionists formed the basis for Cuban music two hundred years ago, Irakere blends timbales, congas, drum set and the heavily percussive piano of Chucho Valdés with its tight horn section. Vocal chorus, call & response melodic patterns, traditional rhythms, and exciting improvised instrumental solos mark their performances. Valdés, son of pianist and composer Ramon Bebo" Valdés, was discovered" by Dave Brubeck and Gerry Mulligan at the 1970 Jazz Jamboree in ...
read moreReflections Upon an Influential Education: 10 Albums from Irakere Alumni
Source:
The Latin Jazz Corner by Chip Boaz
Influential bands that exist over a long time period provide more than just great entertainment; they often serve as schools for the musicians that constitute the group. A group with strong staying power almost always has a foundation built on the great musicianship of its core members. The lessons that these musicians share with each other, and the power of their common experiences help them grow over time. Any band that continues performing over the course of several decades will ...
read more
Looking at the Bigger Picture: Irakere Alumni on Video
Source:
The Latin Jazz Corner by Chip Boaz
Ive always been particularly inspired by Irakeres work, and as a result, I frequently drown myself with their recordings. Their forward thinking approach to jazz set a whole new standard of excellence which still sounds fresh today. Their vast knowledge of Afro-Cuban musical traditions and cultural aesthetics centered their recordings with an organic authenticity that transcended straight-ahead dance music. Their bold integration of electronic sounds, rock backbeats, and distorted guitar saturated the music with an edgy modern aura that formed ...
read more