Festival Cubano with Chuchito Valdes Set for Ridgefield Playhouse, 8/15

Experience the sights and sounds of a night in Havana with Festival Cubano featuring Chuchito Valdés Quartet at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Saturday, August 15. The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. under the tent on the field next to the Playhouse with a wine tasting courtesy of Palm Bay International, specialty Rum drinks and Cuban inspired food tastings and cigar rolling. Photographer Bonnie Edelman will showcase her photography of her recent trip to Cuba. At 6:30 p.m. the heir to Cuban Jazz Chuchito Valdés and his Quartet take the stage with an exciting and energetic blend of spicy music that drives audiences wild! This show is part of No. 109 Cheese & Wine Evening of Art, Wine and Jazz Series and the Palm Bay International World Beat Series. This concert is produced with The Luce Group - Jim Luce is the founder of the Caramoor Jazz Festival.

Following in the footsteps of his famed father Chucho Valdes and Grandfather Bebo Valdes, Cuchito continues the legacy of great piano players from Cuba. He is recognized as a master of Cuban music including Son, Danzon, Cuban Timba and Guaguanco. He has also extensively studied classical music including harmony and composition. His original compositions and arrangements draw on classical harmonic and structural techniques. In his performances, Chuchito's music draws on many styles including Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz, Bebop, Danzon, Cha-Cha-Cha, Son Montuno and much more. Chuchito Valdés currently resides in Cancun, Mexico and is a frequent performer in the United State and Canada.

With the restoration of relations with Cuba, Americans are renewing their interest in Cuban culture, music, traditions and art. This fresh, new enthusiasm is a perfect match for the mission of the Palm Bay International World Beat Series, which is to bring diversity, culture and new and exciting music from around the world to our area.

For tickets ($35), call or visit the box office at The Ridgefield Playhouse, (203) 438-5795. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT; ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

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