Son Cubano is one of the most popular musical styles in Cuba, and Grammy-nominated Kiki Valera is one of its foremost exponents. Over the last century, this style of traditional Cuban music has contributed to many other genres of music including salsa, cha cha cha, mambo and Latin jazz. Kiki Valera is the oldest son of the famous La Familia Valera Miranda septet, a multi-generational 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. A multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, and producer, he’s best known as one of the world’s greatest players of the Cuban cuatro, a mid-size guitar with 8 strings grouped in sets of 2. His current project features other internationally acclaimed recording artists including Grammy Award-winning vocalists Jeremy Bosch and Carlos Cascante of Spanish Harlem Orchestra fame.

…one of the world’s greatest exponents of the cuatro…Valera specializes in son, the infectious call-and-answer Cuban song form, but solos like a jazz guy. THE SEATTLE TIMES