Dave Valentin | |
|---|---|
 Valentin at the World Music and Dance Centre, March 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | David Peter Valentin |
| Born | (1952-04-29)April 29, 1952 South Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Died | March 8, 2017(2017-03-08) (aged 64) The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Latin jazz,smooth jazz,salsa |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Flute |
| Years active | 1965–2012 |
| Labels | CTI,GRP,Highnote |
David Peter Valentin (April 29, 1952 – March 8, 2017) was an AmericanLatin jazzflautist ofPuerto Rican descent.[1]
Valentin was born to Puerto Rican parents inThe Bronx in New York City. He attendedThe High School of Music & Art.[2] He learned percussion at an early age, and by 10 was playingconga andtimbales professionally.[3][1] When he was 12, he began to practice theflute so he could get to know a girl in school who played the flute, Irene Cathcart. He borrowed a flute, bought aHerbie Mann record, and started to teach himself.[4] Years later, he recorded an album with Mann calledTwo Amigos.[2] He took lessons fromHubert Laws, who became his mentor.
In the 1970s, Valentin combined Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and funk with jazz with his ensemble which featured at various timesBill O'Connell (piano),Lincoln Goines and Ruben Rodriguez (bass), Richie Morales andRobby Ameen (drums),Sammy Figueroa andGiovanni Hidalgo (congas).[3] He was the first musician signed toGRP Records, a label founded byDave Grusin andLarry Rosen that specialized insmooth jazz,jazz fusion, and jazz-pop-Latin. He recorded his debut album with Ricardo Marrero in 1977.[2] Over time he recorded withNoel Pointer,Patti Austin,Lee Ritenour,Chris Connor,David Benoit,Eliane Elias, andNnenna Freelon.[3] Until 1979, he was a schoolteacher.[1]
For several years Valentin served as musical director forTito Puente's Golden Latin Jazz All-Stars, and also toured withManny Oquendo's Conjunto Libre. In 2000, he appeared in the documentaryCalle 54 performing with Tito Puente's Orchestra.[5][6][7]
For seven years in a row, he was chosen best jazz flautist by readers ofJazziz magazine. In 1985, he received aGrammy Award nomination as best R&B instrumentalist.[2][1] In 2003, he won a Grammy forCaribbean Jazz Project, an album he did withDave Samuels.[8]
In March 2012, Valentin had a stroke which left him partially paralyzed and unable to perform. In 2015 he suffered a second stroke, and worked to overcome his disabilities in an extended care facility.[9]
On March 8, 2017, Valentin died from complications of a stroke andParkinson's disease in the Bronx at the age of 64. His lifelong "special friend", Irene, for whom he learned to play the flute, was at his side when he passed.[10]
WithSteve Turre
With theGRP All-Star Big Band
WithScott Cossu
