Jazz Nocturno

The music here marks a fundamental chapter in the evolution of Jesús “Chucho” Valdés’ career and development into one of the finest jazz pianists in the world. The concepts that he brought to fruition in the Quinteto Cubano de Jazz, the Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna, and Irakere, have their roots in the band Chucho formed at the beginning of the 1960’s, which due to limited distribution has received little attention from specialists and jazz lovers alike. 

Chucho’s album Jazz Nocturno was recorded in the early 1960’s. During the years in which he worked for the Havana Musical Theater Orchestra, he formed his own combo with friend Carlos Emilio Morales on guitar, Paquito D’Rivera on sax and clarinet, Enrique “Kike” Hernández on bass, Emilio del Monte on timbales, Julio Vento on flute, Alberto Valdés on trombone, and Oscar Valdés on congas. It is worth noting Chucho’s exclusion of the traditional drum set, considering his intention to play jazz. 

Tracklist

A1.   Mi Descarga Pa’ Gozar
A2.   Noches De Moscu
A3.   Indestructible [aka Mercy's Cha (Cha-Cha-Cha)
A4.   Tu No Sabes De Amor
A5.   Descarga De Kike
A6.   El Paso De Encarnacion
A7.   Pero Tu Vendras
A8.   Pequena Descarga Para Ti

B1.   Atomo
B2.   Cha Cha Cha Nina
B3.   Bebada
B4.   Quien Baila Mejor
B5.   Por La Libre
B6.   Mi Mejor Cancion
B7.   Chiquitico