Chucho Valdes, Pedrito Martinez & Wynton Marsalis- Jazz @ Lincoln Center

Last night Aldes, Martinez & Marsalis all performed together for an unforgettable evening of jazz & it's connection to Latin jazz & Afro-Cuban percussive drumming & chanting.  The vocalists lead with their stentorian callings acknowledging their ancestry & spirituality.  The African drums were all 2 headed hour glass shaped in small/medium & large sizes.  The small drum kept a constant tempo, the middle drum emphasized the deep pulsing of the large, lead drum. This phenomenal concert connected Amer. jazz in its various modes with Latin jazz with it's fiery tempos to the gravitas of African vocals & drumming.  The syntax of scores blended and moved adroitly between each in a harmonious dialogue.  Each style played at the forefront & was then echoed in the other's syncopated style.  The connections had an intoxicating fluidity from the blending of richly layered sounds from the talents of great artists.  The wind section of the Jazz @ Linc. Ctr Orch. including Wynton, Ali Jackson on Drums & Carolos Hneriquez on bass demonstrated their multi-faceted skills.  World renown vocalist & percussionsit Pedrito Martinez (b. Cuba '73) has recorded with legendary artists & recieved the Sphinx Medal of Excellence '14.  The highlight of the evening was Chucho Valdes (b. Cuba '41.)  Valdes is considered Cuba's most famous pianist (arguably one of the world's finest.)  Valdes has received 8 Grammies & 16 nominations.  His gifts at the piano are legendary.  Two dancers performed to the Afro-Cuban percussion/vocals adding an elegant excitement.  Valdes, Martinez & Marsalis - who could ask for anything more?  I'd ask for more Valdes at the keyboard and forgo some of the African drumming & chanting.