(Miami, Fl – March 22, 2024) – “Este Vacilón”, the new single by the world-renowned Cuban cuatrista Kiki Valera, is now available for music enthusiasts, under the record label Circle 9 Records Son cubano, one of the most popular music styles in Cuba, finds in Kiki Valera one of its most prominent exponents. Throughout the last century, this style of traditional Cuban music has influenced various musical genres, including jazz, cha-cha-chá, mambo, salsa, songo, and timba. Son cubano is the music that brought Buena Vista Social Club to worldwide fame in the late 1990s, but Kiki Valera’s connection to this musical tradition dates back decades, thanks to his family of musicians.
Kiki Valera is the eldest son of the famous septeto La Familia Valera Miranda, a multi-generational traditional music group originating from Santiago de Cuba. Since the 19th century, La Familia Valera Miranda has played a significant role in Cuban culture by collecting and preserving the deep traditions of the legendary Sierra Maestra mountain region. Their debut album, “Antologia Integral Del Son” released in 1982, helped trigger explosive interest in traditional Cuban music.
Kiki, like most of his family, is a virtuoso. A multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, sound engineer, and producer, he is recognized as one of the finest interpreters of the Cuban cuatro, a medium-sized guitar with 8 strings grouped in 2 pairs.
Since childhood, Kiki learned to play the Cuban tres under the tutelage of his father, Félix. Kiki continues to lead, compose, arrange, and perform internationally. He also performs and teaches in Seattle, Washington, where he contributes to the vibrant music scene of the Pacific Northwest.
Kiki Valera is one of Cuba’s most outstanding cuatro guitar virtuosos and a fourth-generation member of La Familia Valera Miranda, recognized pioneers for over a century as creators of the Son tradition in eastern Cuba. Now based in the United States, Valera’s dynamic ensemble features many of Latin America’s most prominent musicians. His video “Vida Parrandera” has over 22 million views on YouTube, demonstrating the impact and resonance of his music worldwide.
The current single “Este Vacilón” is part of the album “Kiki Valera, “Vacilón Santiaguero,” which will soon be available to the public. Reserve the Limited Edition 12” vinyl of his upcoming full release at bit.ly/kikivaleracircle9 and download the new single right now!
