Orlando "Maraca" Valle: "Cuban Lullabies" Project September 20, 2008

Orlando "Maraca" Valle is perhaps the most famous Cuban flautist known today. He was named "a visionary” by “Chicago Tribune en Espanol” 2003, and is considered one of the most popular names in Latin and Afro-Cuban Music, from salsa to Latin jazz. His music is a cocktail of fusion and energy that stems from the most jazziest improvisations to the most danceable elements of Caribbean and popular Cuban music. Nominated for “Best Salsa Album of the year” for 2003, winner of many awards in Cuba, at Cubadisco and in EGREM voted “Best Fusion Album” both in 1999 and 2001. He was also voted for “Best Latin Jazz album” in 1995 and “Best Recording” in 2003.

This specially comissioned project for the festival explores the orchestral, lyrical side of his personality, and it features a venerable who's who in Latin Music - Giovanni Hildago (congas), Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez (drums), Ed Simon (piano), Jon Benitez (bass), Miguel Zenon and David Sanchez (saxes). Also includes a six-piece string section and Murray Low on secondary keyboards.

This is a MurrayLowGig

Official Website: http://www.myspace.com/maracavalle