Photo courtesy of Kiki Valera
BLACKSBURG – Son cubano is one of the most popular musical styles in Cuba, and Kiki Valera is one of its most celebrated torchbearers.
Experience the style’s captivating rhythms during a free outdoor concert featuring Kiki Valera y su Son Cubano on Friday, Sept. 5, at 6 p.m. on the Center for the Arts’ Patricia Buckley Moss Lawn.
Shaped by centuries of cultural exchange and often called the “soul of Cuba,” son cubano is a warm, rhythmic blend combining poetic lyrics, layered percussion, and a lilting groove. Over the last century, this style of traditional Cuban music has contributed to many other genres of music, including jazz, cha cha cha, mambo, salsa, songo and timba.
Like most of his family, Valera is a virtuoso. He is the oldest son of the famous La Familia Valera Miranda septet, a multigenerational traditional music group from Santiago de Cuba. Since the 19th century, La Familia Valera Miranda has played a significant role in Cuban culture by collecting and preserving the deep-rooted traditions of the legendary Sierra Maestra mountain region.
Valera continues to direct, compose, arrange, and perform internationally. He also performs and teaches in Seattle, where he contributes to the vibrant music scene of the Pacific Northwest. His current project features several other internationally acclaimed recording artists, including Coco Freeman, the former lead singer of Adalberto Alvarez y su Son and NG La Banda; vocalist Carlos Cascante, a three-time Grammy-winning vocalist of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra; trompetista Alexis Baró of Cubanismo and Omara Portuondo, and bongocero Pedro Vargas of Barbarito Torres’ band.
In the event of inclement weather, check the Center for the Arts website for the latest event information.
During his visit, Kiki Valera will lead a son cubano music workshop with student percussionists from Virginia Tech’s School of Performing Arts.
Local community members will attend the concert through the community VIP ticket program. Offered in partnership with New River Community Action, the program helps provide greater access to Center for the Arts programs for under-resourced individuals and families.The free performance will be held on the Center for the Arts’ Patricia Buckley Moss Lawn, located at 190 Alumni Mall. Convenient parking is available in the North End Parking Garage on Turner Street and in downtown Blacksburg. Find more parking details online.
Virginia Tech
