MEXICAN harp virtuoso, Victor Valdes, is a name of many peoples’ lips in the Australian Music scene.
Valdes at Womadelaide
He and his mariachi band will be playing in a private function at the Mexican Embassy today, Wednesday September 16, then at the Canberra Fitters Workshop tomorrow, Thursday September 17 as part of a big Mexican Independence day celebration.
Valdes grew up in Mexico, where he says music was popular because it was free. No matter how poverty-stricken your circumstances, you could learn to play music. His harp was made in his homeland, where the instrument is becoming more and more popular, but he moved to Australia a dozen years or so ago, bringing his music with him. His compelling voice, harp and his passion for storytelling allow Valdes to take audiences on a journey through Mexico and Latin America that can rarely be heard in Australia.
Both as a soloist and collaborative artist he has performed with Tlen Huicani, Placido Domingo, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Maya Jupiter, The Wiggles and Jimmy Barnes.
Now based in Sydney, Valdes is director of the Mariachi group ‘The Real Mexico’ which plays regularly at festivals both in Australia and internationally.
He was recently awarded Best Performer at Melbourne’s Quiet Music Festival.
Mexican Independence day celebration, with Victor Valdes and band, at Canberra Fitters Workshop, Wentworth Ave Kingston, 6-9pm Thursday September 17, bookings to stickytickets.com.au
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