Afro Latinx Concert feat. Chuchito Valdes - San Francisco

The Afro Latinx Concert is a vibrant celebration of Afro Latinx culture and music, set to take place at the historic Ruth Williams Opera House. Scheduled during Latino Heritage Month, October 4th, this Concert aims to highlight the rich artistic traditions and contributions of Afro Latinx communities through live performances.

Headlining the evening is internationally acclaimed Cuban pianist and composer Chuchito Valdés, today’s most dynamic torchbearers of Afro-Cuban jazz. Known for his mastery of mambo, danzón, timba, and Latin jazz fusion, Chuchito has performed at major festivals worldwide and brings his unique artistry to the Bay Area for this special performance.

Hosted by Oakland's own Gina Madrid

Special guests:

Los Calderones, Yrak Saenz, Batuki, and DJ Leydis.

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El Concierto Afro Latinx regresa el sábado 4 de octubre en el histórico Ruth Williams Opera House en San Francisco. Conducido por Gina Madrid de Oakland, una noche poderosa de música con Chuchito Valdés, Los Calderones, el pionero del hip hop cubano Yrak Sáenz, Batuki y DJ Leydis. ¡No te lo pierdas durante el Mes de la Herencia Latina — Boletos Early Bird y Generales ya disponibles!

Tickets On Sale Now!

Jesus "Chuchito" Valdés

Jesus "Chuchito" Valdés - (Pianist, arranger, composer, bandleader) Born in Havana Cuba, Chuchito Valdes comes from one of the most distinguished musical families in Cuba. He has recorded and performed piano with the world renown Cuban band, Irakere, which he led for 2 years. He has performed at festivals, clubs and concerts throughout the world: from Cuba and the Caribbean, across the United States and South America, and throughout Europe. Some of his worldwide appearances have included Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club in London and Green Dolphin Street in Chicago, The Jazz Festivals of Havana, Cancun and Merida, as well as a recent festival performance in San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Music Festival. His ensemble was featured during December of 2000, at the 19th International Havana Jazz Festival, as well as at the Cancun International Jazz Festival in May of 2001 & 2002. The band completed a successful U.S Tour last year performing concerts from Chicago to San Francisco. On Nov. 9th 2001 his band performed at Orchestra Hall In Detroit. In 2002 he was featured with his band at the Chicago Jazz Festival, The Detroit Jazz Festival, AT&T San Jose Jazz Festival, and the Brownsville Latin-Jazz Festival in Texas. In his youth he studied with many Cuban masters, such as the great Cuban pianist, Chucho Valdes (who also happens to be his father). Chuchito is recognized as a master at Cuban music including Mambo, Danzon, and Cuban Timba and Guaguanco. He has also extensively studied classical music including harmony and composition. When he is not travelling around the world performing, Chuchito lives in Cancun, Mexico where he leads his Afro-Cuban based Latin-Jazz ensemble. His original compositions and arrangements draw on classical harmonic and structural techniques. In his performances, Chuchito’s music draws on many styles including Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz, Bebop,

Gina Madrid, Mexican-Oakland-based rapper and cultural organizer, blending Hip Hop with Latin roots to uplift community and celebrate immigrant stories

Los Calderones (Cuba) – High-energy Cuban timba and rumba, bringing the heartbeat of Havana to the Bay.

Batuki (San Francisco) – Bay Area Afro-Latinx ensemble fusing ancestral rhythms, percussion, and dance into an explosive live show.

DJ Leydis (Cuba/Oakland) – Cuba’s trailblazing DJ, bridging Afro-diaspora sounds with Oakland’s dance floors.

Yrak Sáenz (Cuba) – A Cuban hip hop pioneer, blending poetry, resistance, and Afro-Cuban identity through rap.