Lázaro Moisés Valdés Rodríguez, popularly known as Lazarito Valdés, was a Cuban pianist, keyboardist, composer, and orchestra conductor. He was born on February 6, 1965. He came from a prominent family in Cuban music, his father being the prominent musician Lázaro Valdés. Although he enrolled in the Manuel Saumell Elementary Music School (660 F Street, Vedado, Havana) when he was twelve years old, where he studied violin, piano, and percussion, his musical training began in his cradle.

Since he began working with the group Proyección Cubana at the age of 16, where he served as a pianist, Lazarito Valdés has been a member of several Cuban orchestras. After Proyección Cubana, he joined Cuban showman Bobby Carcassés, with whom he traveled to Yemen, Africa, for his first international tour.

Around this time, he participated in jazz events and also began teaching piano classes at the ENA (120th Street between 9th and 13th, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana). He later moved on to play as a pianist with Héctor Téllez, with whom he worked extensively nationwide.

Lázaro Valdés joined Amaury Pérez in 1988, and with him toured Mexico. Following this journey, he joined Pachito Alonso’s orchestra as a keyboardist and percussionist. With this group, he traveled to several countries, including Chile, Venezuela, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and France.

In 1994, he began a project, which he wasn’t happy with, called Las Mulatas del Fuego, which he wasn’t happy with. So, the following year, in February 1995, he founded Bamboleo. With this orchestra, he set out to break into different musical genres such as salsa, son, Afro-Cuban music, Latin jazz, bolero, and ballads.

Bamboleo was named Breakthrough Orchestra of 1995 at the annual Mi Salsa program. The group quickly gained public favor, leading them to be chosen to represent Cuba at the 15th Plaza 95 Latin Jazz Festival, also earning the title of Breakthrough Orchestra of the Year at this event. That same year, they performed at the closing ceremony of the 10th Mexican Film Festival, held in Guadalajara.

Valdés’ orchestra enjoys significant fame and popularity within dance music, both nationally and internationally. It is considered one of the pioneers of the Timba musical revolution of the 1990s. With this, it won an American Grammy at the 45th edition of this competition.

Along with Bamboleo, Lazarito Valdés has performed on stages in various regions of the world, visiting nations such as the United States, Japan, China, Panama, and Europe.

He and his group appeared on the Temptations’ Grammy-winning album “Ear-Resistable” and on MTV’s “Road Rules.” He has also shared the stage with such notables as James Brown, Femi Kuti, and George Benson.

Among the songs she has performed with her group, which have been among the most requested by the public, are: Crazy Love, Atrevimiento, La Culpa, Sueño De Cristal, Se Acabaron los Guapos en la Habana, and La Que Manda. They have also undertaken national tours, which have been very successful.

Lazarito Valdés is the author of almost all the songs included in his CD ¿Quién Manda?

His discography includes five tropical music albums and two jazz albums. Among them is the CD “Ya No Hace Falta,” one of the most popular contemporary Cuban music albums.

Lazarito Valdés holds awards such as National Vanguard (five consecutive years and four consecutive years as a Provincial Vanguard); Bamboleo displays the Moncada flag (for the second time); and an American Grammy.

Discography: Do I like you or do I fall well (1996), I don’t look like anyone (1997), It’s not necessary anymore (1999), No, that’s good (2000), My truth (2009), Who’s the Boss? (2010).