Valdes, who now has 6 Grammys and 3 Latin Grammys, remembered the Irakere musicians who have since died, and thanked all those have passed through Irakere and for all it has meant for Cuban music.
Tribute to Irakere: Live in Marciac was recorded live at a concert in Marciac in France and brings together themes that are emblematic for the band such as Juana 1600 and Congadanza. Together with the recording of Chucho and his AfroCuban Messengers nominated in the category Best Latin Jazz Album were Entre Colegas by Andy Gonzalez; Madera Latino: A Latin Jazz Perspective on the music of Woody Shaw by Brian Lynch and a group of artists; Canto America by Michael Spiro, Wayne Wallace and the Orquesta Sinfonietta; and 30 by the Da Paz Trio.
The record La Fantasia: Homage to Juan Formell (Egrem/Sony Music). also competed for the golden gramaphone in the section Best Tropical album, and although it didn't win it still showed its quality by being nominated for the prize.
link to original report translated from spanish here
Watch video of performance from the album Tribute to Irakere: Live In Marciac
Cuba 50 