Biography

 
 

Miguelito Valdes began studying music in Cuba, his country of birth, at the age of 11 while attending the Elementary School of Music "Paulita Concepcion". He completed his studies at the Provincial School of Music "Amadeo Roldan" at age of 19.


His first professional experience was with the group "Jelengue" in 1992. Since then, he has performed with many of Cuba's top performers, including the Cabaret Tropicana Orquestra, Giraldo Piloto & Klimax, Pablo Milanes, Haila Mompie, Chucho Valdes, Havana Ensemble, Augusto Enriquez and Mayito Rivera (from Los Van Van).


Miguelito participated in the award-winning recording "La Rumba Soy Yo", which won a Latin Grammy in 2001. In 2000, he began playing with Omara Portuondo (Diva of Buena Vista Social Club) with whom he toured the world for 6 years. He has also played with important musicians abroad including Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock, John Patitucci, Danilo Perez, Wayne Shorter, Wallace Roney, Brian Blade and, from the Latin scene, Michael Stuart, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ricardo Lemvo, among others. In 2005, had the opportunity of participating in the recording of the CD named “Rhythms del Mundo”  with musicians like Sting, Clodplay, U2, Maroon 5, just to mention some.


In 2002 and 2003, he was invited to play the Mexico venues of the Buena Vista Social Club, which included musicians Ibrahim Ferrer, Juan de Marcos Gonzalez, Eliades Ochoa, Compay Segundo, Barbarito Torres, Cachaito Lopez, “Guajiro” Mirabal, Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos. He also participated in the latest European tour of Ibrahim Ferrer in July 2005.


In the area of recording, he has participated in more than 50 CDs in Cuba. In 1993 he recorded his first CD at the age of 18 with the group "Jelengue", receiving excellent reviews. Later, he joined two of Cuba's more prolific trumpet talents, Alexander Abreu and Yaure Muñiz, to form one of the most renowned of Cuba's recording teams.



You will find Miguelito Valdes' name on the credits for the following CDs:


“Felicidad” Jelengue 1994

   "Contra Todos los Pronosticos" Manolito Simonet 1997

   “La Gloria Eres Tu” Tropicana 1999

"Buscando la Melodia" Tribute to Benny More 1998

"Oye Como Va" Klimax 1999

"Richard Egües y sus amigos" Richard Egües 1999

"Pa'Bachatear...Chapotin" Mayito Rivera 1999

"La Rumba Soy Yo" Cuban Rumba All stars 2000

"A Puerto Padre" Juan Manuel Ceruto 2000

"Una Manera de Decir" Fernando Alvarez 2000

"Sol and Soul" Mike Gerald 2000

"Me Voy Contigo" El Nene y las Estrellas de Areito 2001

"Carambola" Augusto Enriquez 2001

"Pablo Querido" Tribute to Pablo Milanes 2002

"Haila Live" Haila Mompie 2003

"La Rumba Que No Escucho Mi Abuelo" Cuban Rumba All Stars 2004''

"Flor de Amor" Omara Portuondo 2004

"Cuba le Canta a Serrat" Tribute to Juan Manuel Serrat 2004

"El Despechao" David Blanco 2004

"Amor y Fortuna" Alfredito Rodriguez 2005

"Impacto Cubano" Carlos d'l Puerto 2005

"Autorretrato" Francisco Cespedes 2005

"Chucho Valdes y la Sinfonica Nacional" Chucho Valdes 2005

"Prohibido" Isaac Delgado 2005

"Rhythms Del Mundo" ft. Coldplay, Maroon 5, Sting 2005

"Sexto Sentido" Sexto Sentido 2006

and many more…too numerous to mention. (see recordings)


Described as one of Cuba's most highly regarded trumpet players of his generation, Miguelito has become, since making Vancouver his home, very involved in the local music scene. In the short time he has been on the West Coast of Canada, he has performed with local musicians as Luis Giraldo, Brick House, Kenny Blues, Johnny Ferreira, Zapato Negro, Paperboys, Santa Lucia, Mariachi del Sol, Jazz Baby, Kutapira, Goma Dura, Hard Robber, Salsa Dura, Goby Catt, and his own band “Puro Son”. His collaboration with other musicians is not limited to his local area, but also includes musicians from other cities like Hilario Duran from Toronto, among others.


Since he lives in Canada he had already recorded the following CDs:


    "Cellar Live" Zapato Negro 2006

    “Hybrid” MO Project 2007

     "Album 4" Rumba Calzada 2007

     "Sunday Brunch" Jazz Baby 2007

     "It's Always You" Luis Giraldo 2008

     "Ahi Na' Ma" Puro Son 2008

    “La Ultima Palabra” Jaimy Gabriela 2008

    “The British Columbians” BC 2008

    “Synergy” Kutapira 2008

    “Callithump” Paperboys 2009

    “Fluye Asi” Somos Collective 2009

    “Amandote” Marlin Ramazzini 2009


Miguelito Valdes is now part of "Afro Cuban All Stars" project directed by Juan de Marcos Gonzalez. With this project he has toured the United States and Canada on the year 2009 and has upcoming tours scheduled for the year 2011 including USA, Europe, South Africa, Australia and Japan. (see touring for more info or check Afro Cuban All Stars website www.afrocubanallstarsonline.com


 



Miguelito’s photos














Omara Portuondo’s Concert 2003










Japan 2001



Other links










Miguelito Valdes - Trumpet