Orlando "Maraca" Valle

Orlando "Maraca" Valle, one of Cuba's top flute players, was born into a family of musicians in Havana, Cuba, in September of 1966. He studied flute at the Manuel Saumell Conservatory, and began touring with the Bobby Carcasses Orchestra in 1987. He joined Irakere in 1988, stayed with them for 6 years as a flutist, keyboard player, and arranger. He left the group to start his solo career in 1994.