Bebo Valdés

Bebo Valdés, whose full name is Dionisio Ramón Emilio Valdés Amaro, is a fundamental reference in Cuban music and Afro-Cuban jazz. His style is characterized by a vibrant fusion of Cuban rhythms and jazz elements, which positions him as one of the most influential figures of the golden age of music in Cuba. Since his professional debut in 1938 with the orchestra of Happy D’Ulacia, Bebo stood out not only as a pianist, but also as a composer and arranger, leaving a deep mark on the music of his country. A crucial moment in his career came in 1952, when producer Norman Granz, impressed by the talent of Cuban musicians, invited him to record.

This session became a milestone by bringing together outstanding artists and giving rise to the creation of iconic songs. During this recording, "Con poco coco" emerged, a riff that was improvised in the studio and reflects the essence of the *descarga*, a jam session style that Bebo popularized at the Tropicana cabaret, where musicians of various nationalities gathered to experiment with jazz and Cuban rhythms. Throughout his career, Bebo Valdés formed his orchestra Sabor de Cuba, with which he accompanied great voices such as Benny Moré and Chucho Valdés, his own son. After a period of success in Cuba, his life took a turn when he moved to Mexico and later to Europe, finally settling in Stockholm.