On April 25, 1973, the Santiago de Cuba stadium saw a historic event when Irakere (an eight-member band whose name means "forest" in Yoruba) debuted. Attendees had never experienced anything quite ...

The thing about the Martin Theatre is there’s not quite enough room to dance. That didn’t stop audiences from trying anyway on Wednesday, when Irakere, the storied Cuban band, visited Ravinia for its ...

"They were smoking." That was KPFA's Art Sato, host of "In Your Ear"—a weekly Saturday afternoon Latin Jazz, jazz and flamenco music program on KPFA in Berkeley, California—evaluating legendary Cuban ...

Kupferberg Center for the Arts will present Chucho Valdés: Irakere 50, a powerful tribute to the legendary Cuban ensemble that transformed Afro-Cuban jazz. Taking place on Thursday, May 8 at 8 PM at ...

The ongoing normalization of diplomatic relations with Cuba augurs an uptick in the presence of artists from the island making their way to the U.S., and it’s an encouraging sign that the brilliant ...

The project, which Valdés founded in 1973, brought the sacred percussion and incantations of Afro-Cuban religious music to jazz. By Judy Cantor-Navas On Oct. 20, Chucho Valdés opens his Irakere 40 ...

“Estela Va A Estallar”, a hard-grooving take on “Stella By Starlight”, lifted by driving electric bass, boisterous montuno, furious conga and kit playing, and shout choruses from the horns, was ...

Today’s exclusive is the first of two songs I’m posting this week taken from “Si, Para Usted,” a new compilation of Cuban music from the ’70s and early ’80s. Led by pianist Chucho Valdes, Irakere has ...

November 30, 2016 • In the wake of Fidel Castro's death, Alt.Latino looks at the artists who remained in Cuba after the revolution and those who've left — and how their music reflects both realities.

Irakere, Ronnie Scott’s, London — review on facebook (opens in a new window) Irakere, Ronnie Scott’s, London — review on linkedin (opens in a new window) ...