Irakere (Yoruba for "vegetation") is a Cuban band founded by pianist
Chucho Valdés in 1973 that won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Recording in 1980 with its album Irakere. Its members included flutist
José Luis Cortés who later founded
NG La Banda, percussionist
Anga Díaz who later went to France, percussionist
Fran Padilla who later moved to Spain, saxophonist
Paquito D'Rivera who left Irakere and Cuba in 1980 during a tour in Spain before moving to the United States. Trumpetist
Arturo Sandoval went to the US in 1990. Irakere, perhaps the most recognized modern Cub…
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