http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.68694&variant=artist-playlists&rws=%2Firakere%2Fplaylists.rssFormed in the early 1970s, Irakere has been the single most important Cuban jazz band of contemporary times. Musical director and pianist Chucho Valdes is widely regarded as the greatest living Latin Jazz pianist, while legendary saxophone player Paquito D'Rivera and trumpeter Arturo Sandoval polished their chops with Irakere before defecting from Cuba. Combining Afro-Cuban folklore with Fusion, Bop and Salsa, the band has been at the vanguard of Latin Jazz since its inception, composing songs that have become standards and turning standards on their head with creative arrangements. A big band, Irakere feature a deep rhythm section anchored on the bass of Carlos del Puerto, the full range of Cuban drums and percussion, and at least four horns in the brass section. For decades they have toured internationally, playing prestigious jazz festivals. For years they were an annual feature at Ronnie Scott's club in London, where they made some of their finest recordings. - Robert LeaverLatin & World Jazzen720Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:12:28 -0800 http://static.realone.com/rotw/images/logo_rhapsody_113x22.gif http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.68694&variant=artist-playlists&rws=%2Firakere%2Fplaylists.rss Formed in the early 1970s, Irakere has been the single most important Cuban jazz band of contemporary times. Musical director and pianist Chucho Valdes is widely regarded as the greatest living Latin Jazz pianist, while legendary saxophone player Paquito D'Rivera and trumpeter Arturo Sandoval polished their chops with Irakere before defecting from Cuba. Combining Afro-Cuban folklore with Fusion, Bop and Salsa, the band has been at the vanguard of Latin Jazz since its inception, composing songs that have become standards and turning standards on their head with creative arrangements. A big band, Irakere feature a deep rhythm section anchored on the bass of Carlos del Puerto, the full range of Cuban drums and percussion, and at least four horns in the brass section. For decades they have toured internationally, playing prestigious jazz festivals. For years they were an annual feature at Ronnie Scott's club in London, where they made some of their finest recordings. - Robert Leaver http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.23895248&variant=play&rws=%2Firakere%2Fplaylists.rss Latin Sun, 1 Mar 2009 10:46:36 -0800 Playlists Featuring Irakere on Rhapsody Online 23895248 ply.23895248 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.23895248&variant=play&rws=%2Firakere%2Fplaylists.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.22175112&variant=play&rws=%2Firakere%2Fplaylists.rss Jazz Wed, 6 Aug 2008 09:06:52 -0700 Playlists Featuring Irakere on Rhapsody Online 22175112 ply.22175112 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.22175112&variant=play&rws=%2Firakere%2Fplaylists.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.18304057&variant=play&rws=%2Firakere%2Fplaylists.rss Jazz Fri, 14 Mar 2008 07:43:00 -0700 Playlists Featuring Irakere on Rhapsody Online 18304057 ply.18304057 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.18304057&variant=play&rws=%2Firakere%2Fplaylists.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.14500679&variant=play&rws=%2Firakere%2Fplaylists.rss Jazz Mon, 2 Nov 2009 10:53:01 -0800 Playlists Featuring Irakere on Rhapsody Online 14500679 ply.14500679 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.14500679&variant=play&rws=%2Firakere%2Fplaylists.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.8636344&variant=play&rws=%2Firakere%2Fplaylists.rss Jazz Fri, 6 Mar 2009 12:24:32 -0800 Playlists Featuring Irakere on Rhapsody Online 8636344 ply.8636344 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=ply.8636344&variant=play&rws=%2Firakere%2Fplaylists.rss