More than 700 people attended the opening concert of the Jazz Guadalajara 2026 cycle at the Teatro Auditorio Buero Vallejo, paying tribute to the renowned pianist Bebo Valdés. The performance featured Cucurucho Valdés on piano, Javier Colina on double bass, and Inor Sotolongo on percussion, who collectively presented 'Homenaje a Bebo', celebrating the legacy of one of the key figures in Afro-Cuban jazz.
The evening held special significance for Cucurucho Valdés, who expressed his joy at performing on the same stage that had previously hosted his grandfather, mother, and father as musicians. This personal connection added an intimate dimension to the tribute, which was warmly received by an enthusiastic audience that revelled in the interplay between piano, double bass, and percussion.
The concert commenced with 'Tumbao para Bebo' and continued with two compositions by Ignacio Cervantes, 'Invitación' and 'Los tres golpes'. Throughout the evening, the repertoire included works by various Cuban composers as well as original pieces by Cucurucho, creating a journey through the musical memory of the island alongside contemporary creations.
This project, which has featured over 180 concerts across Europe, revives part of the repertoire that Bebo Valdés and Javier Colina performed together at the Village Vanguard in New York, while also incorporating other compositions rooted in Cuban music. Colina's artistic connection to Valdés serves as a direct link between the celebrated musician and his grandson's new interpretations.
Upcoming performances in November
The Jazz Guadalajara cycle will continue on 12 November with the James Carter Organ Trio presenting 'Trane – A Centennial Supreme', a tribute to John Coltrane on the centenary of his birth. Following that, on 19 November, the New York Flamenco Reunion, led by drummer Marc Miralta, will blend jazz and flamenco. The series will conclude on 26 November with a performance by singer-songwriter Michael Mayo. All three concerts are scheduled to begin at 20:30 at the Teatro Auditorio Buero Vallejo, with tickets priced at 12 euros each, available online and at the theatre box office.
