Powerhouse Afro-Cuban Band Comes to Opera House

Straight from Cuba, this 13-piece band, led by flautist Orlando "Maraca" Valle, has been called "the most influential Afro-Cuban band of the emerging century" (Chicago Tribune) and "one of the hottest names in jazz" (LA Times). Maraca will have the Opera House moving to the authentic rhythms of salsa, mambo and cha cha cha, as well as creative Afro-Cuban jazz.

Born in Havana, world class virtuoso flautist and ex-Chucho Valdes & Irakere's bandmate Orlando "Maraca" Valle is arguably the most famous and versatile contemporary Cuban flautist in the world. Maraca has been leading his different bands and projects for more than 15 years with many performances in some of the most prestigious international jazz, Latin & world-music festivals and venues worldwide. Whether the repertoire calls for incendiary dance music or creative Afro-Cuban jazz, Maraca continues to astound his audiences. He has released 9 albums as a soloist, and 3 professional video-clips, each one of them rewarded during national contests in Cuba and highly acclaimed by national and international critics.

His nomination to the 2003's Grammy Awards as "Best Salsa Album", made him the youngest Cuban artist ever nominated by NARAS. Maraca's original style of fusing jazz improvisations with his Afro-Cuban roots (rumba, folklore, danzon, chachacha, mambo, son & timba), has made his sound highly recognized worldwide as the epitome of Cuban popular dance music and Afro-Cuban jazz.

Featuring:

Orlando "Maraca" VALLE (bandleader, flute, composer, arranger)
Josiel PEREZ (trumpet)
Eduardo Martinez (trumpet)
Ariel PEREZ (trombone)
AlfrEd Thompson (tenor saxophone)
Andres PEREZ (baritone saxophone)
Lester CIARRETA (vocal)
Alexei "El Nene" SANCHEZ (vocal)
José-Miguel MELENDEZ (vocal, percussion)
Iván LLANES (drums, timbales)
Yosmel MONTEJO (bass)
Rafael VALIENTE (congas, background vocals)
Andy RUBAL (piano)

When: Tuesay, June 14, 8pm

What: Maraca

Where: Napa Valley Opera House - 1030 Main Street, downtown Napa

Price: $25 / $30

Tickets: 707.226.7372, NVOH.org or in person at the NVOH box office at 1030 Main Street, Napa

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