By Ernest Barteldes

As one of the pioneers of the Afro-Cuban jazz movement, Bebo Valdés has experienced a revival in his career thanks to fellow Cuban saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera, who sought him out for a new recording project 12 years ago. That was the beginning of a new phase for the legendary pianist, who had been playing solo in Switzerland and he was happy to join the project and return to the recording studio.

“It all has to do with one’s life choices,” he explains. “When I left Cuba in 1959 after the Revolution, I went to Mexico, where I had a lot of problems. I then moved to Madrid in 1962, where I got married and had two children. I knew that I had to decide what to do with my life: Would I continue playing, touring or would I dedicate myself to my family? This thing about playing solo was something new at the time, but nevertheless I decided to spend more time with my family, and performing at leisure.” Of course, that couldn’t last forever, and he jumped at the opportunity to work with a band again. 

“In 1994, Paquito approached me, and I told him that I had a lot of musical ideas to work on. It was intended as an album for him, but in the end he ceded me the credits, and Bebo Rides Again finally appeared.”

Valdés explains that he was the first in his family to study music, “And my son [the pianist Chucho Valdés] followed. I also have a daughter who is a music teacher in La Habana. They tell me she’s very good, but I have never had a chance to listen to her playing.” To keep the musical traditional alive a generation later, Chucho's daughter, Dayane, won first prize in classical piano in Italy when she was 19. “I feel very good about this,” Bebo says, “especially when they compare me to Chucho.”

At 87, he shows no signs of slowing down. In addition to his performances, he also continues to record. His next project is “a piano solo album dedicated to the evolution of Cuban music from the beginning of the 1800s until when it began to merge with other influences.” For his New York show, he’ll be joining Arturo O’Farrill’s big band. “I don’t know exactly what tunes we are going to do,” he admits. “Maybe something Puerto Rican, Cuban—there is a lot to pick from.” 

Oct. 13- 14. Rose Theater,33 W. 60th St. (at B’way), 212-721-6500; 8, $37.50-$127.50