Dionisio Jesús Valdés Rodríguez, better known as Chucho is a Cuban pianist, bandleader, composer and arranger whose career spans over 50 years. An original member of the Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna, in 1973 he founded the group Irakere, one of Cuba's best-known Latin jazz bands.

He comes from one of the most distinguished musical families in Cuba. He has recorded and performed piano with the world renown Cuban band, Irakere, which he led for 2 years. He has performed at festivals, clubs and concerts throughout the world: from Cuba and the Caribbean, across the United States and South America, and throughout Europe. Some of his worldwide appearances have included Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club in London and Green Dolphin Street in Chicago, The Jazz Festivals of Havana, Cancun and Merida, as well as a recent festival performance in San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Music Festival. His ensemble was featured during December of 2000, at the 19th International Havana Jazz Festival, as well as at the Cancun International Jazz Festival in May of 2001 & 2002. The band completed a successful U.S Tour last year performing concerts from Chicago to San Francisco. On Nov. 9th 2001 his band performed at Orchestra Hall In Detroit. In 2002 he was featured with his band at the Chicago Jazz Festival, The Detroit Jazz Festival, AT&T San Jose Jazz Festival, and the Brownsville Latin-Jazz Festival in Texas.

In his youth he studied with many Cuban masters, such as the great Cuban pianist, Chucho Valdes (who also happens to be his father). Chuchito is recognized as a master at Cuban music including Mambo, Danzon, and Cuban Timba and Guaguanco. He has also extensively studied classical music including harmony and composition. When he is not travelling around the world performing, Chuchito lives in Cancun, Mexico where he leads his Afro-Cuban based Latin-Jazz ensemble. His original compositions and arrangements draw on classical harmonic and structural techniques. In his performances, Chuchito’s music draws on many styles including Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz, Bebop, Danzon, Cha-Cha- Cha, Son Montuno and much more.

Awards and honors: Best Latin Jazz Album in 2001 for his album Live at the Village Vanguard; Best Latin Jazz Album in 2010 for Juntos Para Siempre, with his father Bebo Valdés; Best Latin Jazz Album in 2011 for Chucho's Steps, with the Afro-Cuban Messengers; Best Latin Jazz Album in 2017 for Tribute to Irakere: Live in Marciac; Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album in 2004 for New Conceptions; Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album in 2009 for Juntos Para Siempre
Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album in 2019 for Jazz Batá. In May 2011, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music.