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Maraca

Biography:

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. The Cuban flutist, composer and director of the group Orlando Valle Maraca is definitely a spectacle to see live, as he directs his highly talented 12-member group. Maraca, musician and director, 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. Maraca has traveled extensively and with tremendous success with his groups, “Maraca y Otra Vision” as well as “Maraca & Afro-Cuban Jazz Masters” to more than 35 countries all over the world, which include almost the entire European continent and the United States, where he tours extensively throughout the year and has been doing so, since 1996. He has also toured to Canada, Africa, Cuba, Santa Lucia, Martinique, Colombia, Costa Rica and Brazil. Their high level of energy on stage, Maracas’ sense of creating a spectacle, the way he communicates and blends with all the different variety of audiences, the musicality and variety of genres in his repertoire are all celebrated and applauded by the most demanding critics nation wide which contribute to the fame of this very creative artist, and to the unique characteristic of his group. Since the creation his group in 1995 (and after 6 years spent working with Chucho Valdes & Irakere as a keyboardist, flutist and arranger), Maraca has recorded 6 records as a solo artist and has participated in more than 40 productions as a guest flutist. His 3 music videos have been nominated and award winners of the “Premios Lucas” (Video Music awards in Cuba) for “Best Fusion Music video” (1999, 2001) and “Best New Artist”. When Maraca is not touring or involved in other projects as a guest artist, he composes, arranges, records or produces in Cuba for himself or other artists of international fame such as Cubanismo (Cuba), Afro-Cuban-All-Stars (Cuba), Nora (Japan), Orlando Poleo (Venezuela), Cesaria Evora (Cabo-Verde), and many others. Orlando Valle, “Maraca” is also the creator of the project “Maraca & Afro-Cuban Jazz Masters” composed of 15 musicians, presenting the most prestigious Latin American solo artists as stellar guests in many European and North American stages since 2001. Artists such as Giovanni Hidalgo (Puerto Rico), Jimmy Bosch (U.S.), Tata Guines (Cuba), Changuito (Cuba), and other outstanding Cuban soloists. “Maraca & Afro Cuban Jazz Masters” is known for their elevated musical talent, the participation of a variety of world famous guest artists, and the complexity and enthusiasm of the musicians on stage, always willing to offer the very best of their music with an original, brilliant, explosive repertoire. At times Maraca also produces extraordinary, special events such as the 20th Anniversary of “Habana Club” (Cuban Rum), presenting Cuba’s musical history with a big band and a body of 120 dancers brought together specifically for this event. He also produced several concerts for the Havana Jazz Plaza Festival in 1997,1998 and 2002, which were quoted as “unforgettable” by the Cuban national press. These concerts included the participation of stellar artists like Los Munequitos de Matanzas (1997), Giovanni Hidalgo, David Sanches (1998) and Yoruba Andabo (2002), where he gathered about 30 folkloric musicians, percussionists and dancers onto one stage.
Maraca has been said to be an innovator, always looking to the future expressing innovating ideas in his arrangements and compositions, making him a musical visionary.

Discography:

1995 Fórmula Uno - Bis Music
1997 Havana Calling - Caribe
1998 Sonando - Ahi Nama Music
2000 Descarga Total - Warner (France)
2002 Tremenda Rumba - Warner (France)
2005 Soy Yo - Ahi-Nama Records
2008 Lo Que Quiero Es Fiesta - Corner Shop

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