# Guitarist Diego Figueiredo meets Chuchito Valdés at Flato Markham theatre: Photos, Videos

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2019/04/12/guitarist-diego-figueiredo-meets-chuchito-valdes-at-flato-markham-theatre-photos-videos/
- Published: 2019-04-12T19:08:31+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**Brazil meets Cuba, a time for Markham and GTA residents to come in from the cold
for what was promised to be some hot sounds on March 7, 2019. Flato Markham Theatre
and Minken Employment Lawyers presents the All That Jazz series, featuring Diego
Figueiredo and Jesus “Chuchito” Valdés. Billed as a meeting of two of the most exciting
Latin jazz artists, creating an explosion of music.**


The music they played, mostly Brazilian popular songs, the beginnings and the endings
were recognizable. The middle, well that was open to interpretation and both of 
these talented individuals let loose with improvisational abandon. Songs such as“
The Girl From Ipanema,” and “How Insensitive” by Antonio Carlos Jobim  as well as“
Manhã De Carnaval” by Luiz Bonfá were performed.

![](https://i0.wp.com/latinjazznet.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Chuchito-Vald%
C3%A9s-Diego-Figueiredo-at-Flato-Markham-Theatre-01.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

Diego Figueiredo is a guitarist with a style that reminds me of some of the great
Spanish classical and flamenco guitarists of the past, Segovia, Sabicas and Montoya
come to mind. He strums the strings with fingers in that distinct Spanish style.
He also plucks the strings with his fingers and thumb, to great effect. On closer
examination of his right hand, I noticed he has very long nails and he seems to 
use a combination of a finger and pick style. Figueiredo can play, jazz, swinging
with ease, or mellow, he can play fast and he can play in the nether regions of 
the guitar, up over the bridge. All of this with a beautiful sound and style all
his own.

![](https://i0.wp.com/latinjazznet.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Chuchito-Vald%
C3%A9s-Diego-Figueiredo-at-Flato-Markham-Theatre-02-1024x887.jpg?resize=640%2C554&
ssl=1)

Chuchito Valdés is a pianist of extraordinary talent. His piano playing, a strong
classically influenced style with jazz inflection and Cuban heritage is at once 
exciting and engaging. I was drawn in by his dynamic playing. His body is involved
in the performance, he is intense and captivating. I await with trepidation the 
sight of him actually falling from the piano bench. He slides back and forth across
the bench and the keys, he pounds on the keys and the body of the piano, he bounces
up and down, only to dig deeper and finally leaps up and buries himself into the
body of the piano to pluck or strum a string or two.

![](https://i0.wp.com/latinjazznet.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Chuchito-Vald%
C3%A9s-Diego-Figueiredo-at-Flato-Markham-Theatre-03-1024x494.jpg?resize=640%2C309&
ssl=1)

Diego Figueiredo was the spokesperson for the duo and started the concert by asking
how the crowd was doing, “Everybody alright?”Upon the crowds enthusiastic response
of, “Yea!” The duo launched into an upbeat Cuban son number that warmed the theatre
and displayed the dynamism of the duo. Figueiredo was dancing in and out of his 
chair, leaning way back and pulling off impressive runs. Valdés matched him stride
for stride, giving a wonderful display of piano virtuosity.

After two songs, Valdés departed leaving Figueiredo to perform solo. He would go
on to play two songs, one original tune with a Samba feel, it had all the colours
of Brazil and a cool beach like theme. He mentioned writing it while trying to warm
his hands prior to a concert in Buffalo.

![](https://i0.wp.com/latinjazznet.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Chuchito-Vald%
C3%A9s-Diego-Figueiredo-at-Flato-Markham-Theatre-04-1024x780.jpg?resize=640%2C488&
ssl=1)

Chuchito Valdés returned to the stage for his solo portion of the concert, Figueiredo
departed. His first number was recognizable as a classic Cuban song, very fast riffing,
accentuated by powerful chord progressions. The second song, “Somewhere Over The
Rainbow” performed beautifully, with great sensitivity and passion. He played it
peaceful and serene at some moments and energetic and urgent at other moments.

![](https://i0.wp.com/latinjazznet.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Chuchito-Vald%
C3%A9s-Diego-Figueiredo-at-Flato-Markham-Theatre-06-1024x838.jpg?resize=640%2C524&
ssl=1)

The duo came back together for one more number, a tango like affair to set the tone
for an intermission. Upon retaking the stage, the same process was repeated with
each artist taking solo numbers to finally bring the duo back for their finale. 
They played “Bésame Mucho”  and  then “Manhã De Carnaval”  that surprisingly morphed
into “Stairway To Heaven.”

This was an enjoyable concert that hi-lighted two fantastic musicians who have a
great chemistry. The audience would seem to have warmed up to the duo as the double
encore confirmed. Here’s looking forward to more Latin musical treats at Flato Markham
Theatre and the Minken Employment Lawyers, All That Jazz!


![](https://i0.wp.com/latinjazznet.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Chuchito-Vald%
C3%A9s-Diego-Figueiredo-at-Flato-Markham-Theatre-07-1024x777.jpg?resize=640%2C486&
ssl=1)

![Diego Figueiredo & Chuchito Valdés](https://i0.wp.com/latinjazznet.com/wp-content/
uploads/2019/03/Diego-Figueiredo-Chuchito-Valdes.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

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