Bush has had him refused entry twice to go to the Latin Grammies to receive his award. He was in Los Angeles on September 11th to attend that Latin Grammies when the disaster occured on the East Coast.
Chucho Valdes stayed in town, even though the event was cancelled, with his group and they all gave blood for the victems before returning to Cuba.
Here are some song samples:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/recs/radio/krex/-/track/B0000C3I8G001007/ref=pd_krex_dp_t/102-6045853-2243355You can also listen to song samples from the albums at the bottom of the page. Very, very interesting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Chucho started his first jazz trio at the age of 16 and founded Irakere in 1972 while playing with the Orquesta Cubana de Musica Moderna. An incredibly inventive and fluid pianist, Chucho combines the influences of musicians such as Art Tatum, Bill Evans and McCoy Tyner with Afro-Cuban roots and a blazing technique that leaves one breathless and amazed. He writes most of the band's compositions and arrangements and has released dozens of albums, both with Irakere and as a solo performer.
Chucho is revered as a national treasure in Cuba, the Duke Ellington of his country. He receives the admiration and thanks of his people in a way that the Duke never did in his lifetime. When you hear current Cuban jazz or popular music, whether Gonzalo Rubalcaba, N.G. La Banda or Charanga Habanera, you hear the influence of Chucho Valdés and Irakere.
(snip)
http://www.afrocubaweb.com/chucho.htm