Festival Showcases Elite of Latin Jazz

Highlights of the Latin Jazz Institute’s Los Angeles Latin Jazz Festival:

JESUS “CHUCHO” VALDES: Valdes, 57, is widely regarded as one of the two top jazz pianists to ever come out of Cuba, the other being Gonzalo Rubalcaba. In 1973, Valdes, a virtuoso from age 13, founded Cuba’s famed pop group, Irakere. Now focused on a solo career, Valdes combines classical and jazz harmonies with traditional Afro-Cuban sounds. He co-headlines Saturday’s bill with Lalo Schifrin’s Big Band and Manny Oquendo’s Orquesta Libre, and will be inducted, along with Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri, to the Latin Jazz Hall of Fame.

TITO PUENTE: Born in New York City in 1923, Puente got his start playing timbales with the Machito big band in 1942. A charismatic performer, he was the first timbale player to front a band, embellishing his shows by twirling his drumsticks and telling jokes. A Juilliard Conservatory-trained composer, Puente has recorded more than 100 albums, and his compositions, such as “Oye Como Va,” are as popular now as when he made them. Heco-headlines Sunday’s bill with Eddie Palmieri and David Sanchez.

EDDIE PALMIERI: Palmieri was born in Spanish Harlem in 1936, and made his classical piano debut at Carnegie Hall when he was 11. From 15 on, he played in various big bands, and in 1961 formed the legendary group Conjunto La Perfecta, which was influential in the creation of what came to be known as salsa. Palmieri combines complex jazz harmonies with salsa rhythms, and is still a leading figure in both genres. He co-headlines Sunday’s bill with Tito Puente and David Sanchez.

ELIADES OCHOA: The guitarist with Ry Cooder’s Buena Vista Social Club will make his first Southern California appearance as a special guest at the Latin Jazz Festival, appearing on Saturday’s lineup, along with Lalo Schifrin and his big band, Chucho Valdes, and Manny Oquendo and Orquesta Libre. Ochoa began playing at age 11 and in 1978 became the leader of El Cuarteto Patria in Cuba.

MANNY OQUENDO: A founding member of Conjunto La Perfecta, percussionist Oquendo formed his own group, Libre, in 1975, and is known for his free-form arrangements. He co-headlines Saturday’s bill with Chucho Valdes and Lalo Schifrin’s Big Band.

JON FADDIS: Born in Oakland in 1953, Faddis joined Lionel Hampton’s band as a trumpet player at 17 and has since played with many jazz greats, including Charles Mingus and Dizzy Gillespie. In 1991 he was named director of the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band. He’s a featured member of Schifrin’s Big Band, which plays Saturday.

DAVID SANCHEZ: Born in Puerto Rico in 1968, Sanchez studied jazz saxophone at Rutgers University under Kenny Barron and was hired at 22 by Dizzy Gillespie for his United Nation Orchestra. In 1993 Sanchez was signed to a solo deal, and is one of the world’s most critically acclaimed young tenor sax players. His quintet co-headlines Sunday’s bill with Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri.