13-time Grammy winning Afro-Cuban jazz legend Chucho Valdés will headline this year’s Silver Spring Jazz Festival.
The Chucho Valdés Quartet will go on at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, the county announced Wednesday.
Valdés has seven Grammys and six Latin Grammys, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy. In 2018 he was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame. Valdés is also the founder of Latin jazz band Irakere.
In a written statement, County Executive Marc Elrich said, “Jazz has been a cornerstone of our nation’s cultural diversity and a music education pillar that transcends generations. Hosting a legendary figure like Chucho Valdés, whose contributions to Afro-Cuban jazz have profoundly influenced the genre, underscores the festival’s significance and our dedication to honoring the legacy and evolution of jazz music. This event is an opportunity to appreciate the rich tapestry of musical heritage that unites us all.”
According to the county, the lineup also includes D.C.-based Ethio-Jazz Feedel Band, The Eric Byrd Trio, Todd Marcus Quintet, Dupont Brass, Paul Carr and the Real Jazz Ambassadors and Marcus Johnson, who is a founding committee member of the festival.
Last year, Grammy and Tony award-winning artist Dee Dee Bridgewater headlined the event.
Now in its 20th year, the Silver Spring Jazz Festival began in 2004 featuring Keter Betts and Silver Spring’s own Marcus Johnson. There was no festival in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID-19.
The free event is 3-10 p.m. Sept. 7 at Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring. The address is 1 Veterans Place. There will be restrooms on-site and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or low-back lawn chairs to sit on. The festival website has information about parking, Metro, and visitor services.
Photo courtesy Montgomery County
