Miguelito Valdes (www.miguelitovaldes.com) carries a rich history of performing with many of Cuba's top performers, including the Cabaret Tropicana Orquesta, Pablo Milanes, Isaac Delgado, Mayito Rivera, Klimax and has participated in award-winning recordings such as "La Rumba Soy Yo", which won a Latin Grammy in 2001. In 2000, he began playing with Omara Portuondo (Diva singer of Buena Vista Social Club) with whom he traveled around the world for 6 years. He has also played with important jazz musicians abroad, including Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock, John Patitucci, Danilo Perez, Wayne Shorter, and many others. Upon his arrival to Vancouver in March 2006, Miguelito Valdes noted that Vancouver, and in fact Canada, was being deprived of the joy that true traditional Cuban music is. For this reason he decided to bring his love for music to an already vibrant Vancouver latin music scene. Miguelito combined his talent with that of five other Cuban musicians already settled in Vancouver. Together, they formed one of the most popular Cuban Bands in the city, Puro Son. In two years the group has played at many festivals across Canada and has shared the stage with international Puerto Rican star Gilberto Santa Rosa. They have also had successful weekly performances on Fridays (Aug 06 - Jul 07) at Tango 8 Grill, 'Cuban Nights' on Saturdays at The End Cafe (Mar 07- Aug 2008) and the currently 'Latin Night' on Fridays at the Polish Community Centre including appearances at Yale Hotel, the Croatian Center, Wise Hall, Roberts Creek Hall (Sunshine Coast), CBC Studio One (Vancouver Jazz Festival), and more. Puro Son has a great following in Vancouver and their regular performances on Fridays and Saturdays have had a steady audience of 100 - 350. Miguelito Valdes y Puro Son is his wife, Cynthia Rodriguez (Piano), Arianne Charon (Double Bass), Zahili Gonzalez (Lead Vocal), Jesus Hierrezuelos (Bongo), and Juan Carlos "Chocolate" (Congas). The three women in the group also perform with the allfemale Cuban group D'Talle. Puro Son music ranges from salsa to son, bachata, merengue, cha cha cha, cumbia, guaguanco, guaracha and every possible latin rhythm combination you can think of! Their first CD entitled "Ahi Na' Ma", which was released on June 13th, 2008, is a mixture of 11 original songs that get the attention of every listener. A review by the Georgia Straight predicts a Juno nomination for "Ahi Na' Ma".