Irakere 50 – Chucho Valdés, Paquito D’Rivera & Arturo Sandoval

Valdés returns to Ravinia with Irakere 50, celebrating the groundbreaking small big-band he founded in 1973 and led until 2005. Fusing Afro-Cuban ritual music, Cuban popular music, jazz, rock, and classical elements, Irakere forever transformed Latin jazz.

Alongside Valdés for this milestone event are two legendary musicians in their own right and former band members—saxophonist and clarinetist Paquito D’Rivera and trumpeter and composer Arturo Sandoval. Also joining, is special guest Emilio Frías, known as “El Niño.”