Flutist, pianist, composer and arranger, Orlando Valle “Maraca” was a prodigy child. He wrote his first song at the early age of 10. After completing his classical studies at the Amadeo Roldán conservatory and then at the High Academic Institute of the Arts in Havana, he started his professional career at the age of 16 as flutist in the group of the late Cuban pianist Emiliano Salvador. He later played in Bobby Carcassés’ group, before joining the legendary Cuban group Irakere as flutist, keyboard player and arranger. Maraca remained there for 6 years.
At the age of 24, he decided to embark on his own career as a soloist and musical producer. That year he produced, composed and arranged much of the album “Pasaporte” by the Cuban percussionists Tata Guines and Angá, followed by other prominent productionshe wrote and arranged several hit songs on the first and second Cubanismo albums, which led him to create his own group “Maraca &Otra Visión” in 1996.
Throughout the years he has produced many important projects, contributing with many compositions and arrangements of his own for Cape Verdian singer Cesaria Evora’s “Café Atlantico,” the Afro-Cuban Jazz Project, Japanese singer Nora, Monique Seka, Venezuelan percussionist Orlando Poleo, Canadian Jane Bunnett, Yumuri y Sus Hermanos, Leyanis López and many more. As guest flutist, he has participated in more than 40 different productions.
Maraca leds various musical projects, including:
Maraca & Otra Visión, a powerful 12 piece-ensemble, which offers a broad musical spectrum and repertoire – from traditional Cuban music to Latin-jazz.
Maraca & Afro-Cuban Jazz Masters, featuring 11 musicians, is an All Stars of Cuban and Latin Music, and is characterized by the rotary system of his guests. For its sold-out US presentations in December 2001, Maraca & Afro-Cuban Jazz Masters featured the percussionists Tata Guines, Giovanni Hidalgo, Changuito, Enrique Lazaga, as well as Jimmy Bosch, Cotó, Yumurí and more. The repertoire is made of “Descargas” (Cuban Jam Sessions) and Latin-jazz tunes with original arrangements of Maraca and some the band-members.
“Tremenda Rumba” was the result of an intense artistic work arisen from the encounter between the pictorial world of Cuban painter Salvador González and the original Afro-Cuban music of Maraca. It received a Grammy Award nomination.
Discography:
Fórmula Uno (Bis Music, 1995)
Havana Calling (Qbadisc, 1996)
Sonando (Ahi Nama Music, 1998)
Descarga Total (Ahi Nama Music, 2000)
Tremenda Rumba (Ahi Nama Music, 2003)
Soy yo (Ahí Nama Music, 2005)
Lo que quiero es fiesta (Ahí Nama Music, 2008)
Suspendan los comentarios (2011)
Reencuentros, Live at the Grand Theater of Havana (2012)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
