About
They call him the liberator of the flute, but Orlando "Maraca" Valle is much
more than that. The man proved that flute could be a lead instrument in
salsa, but he also has demonstrated undeniable chops as a composer, arranger
and producer, working with a stellar cast of artists including the Bobby
Carcasses Orchestra, Emiliano Salvador and finally the magnificent Irakere
before striking out on his own. After producing (and composing with) the
Cuban All-Stars on Pasaporte, he released his first solo album, the
difficult-to-find Formula Uno in 1995. He went on to form Otra
Vision, the band that has backed him on numerous efforts, including the
star-studded Sonando! and Descargo Total. Born in Havana to an
intensely musical family, Valle began studying flute at the age of 10.
While his training encompassed jazz and classical music, Valle's strength
lies in his ability to breathe salsa's ineffable swing into jazzy
arrangements -- pleasing both sides of the jazz/salsa divide, which is no
small feat.
- Sarah Bardeen
- Portions of Album Content Provided by All Music Guide © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC.