Even at 81, Chucho Valdés Stands Tall in More Ways Than One

His work fulfills the mandate of Jazz at Lincoln Center: It’s an extended composition for the concert stage yet it has the house on its feet cheering in a way that formal symphonic music doesn’t always do.

Lawrence Sumulong for Jazz at Lincoln Center
Chucho Valdés. Lawrence Sumulong for Jazz at Lincoln Center

Chucho Valdés commands the stage just by walking out onto it. He’s a giant of a musician, in more ways than one, being part of the small cadre of larger-than-life piano colossi — along with the late Randy Weston and Paul Smith — whose physical stature seems like a direct manifestation of their talent. Like Duke Ellington, he’s always the tallest guy in his band, and that’s no small thing.

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