Musician. He was an American Latin-Jazz flutist. Born David Joseph Valentin to Puerto Rican parents in Bronx, New York. At the age of 12 he took up flute and began teaching himself practing from a Herbie Mann record. He later recorded an album with Herbie Mann called Two Amigos. Hubert Laws became his mentor and teacher. In the 1970's he combined Latin with jazz music in bands with Bill O'Connell, Lincoln Goines, Richie Morales and others. He was the first musician to sign with GRP Records label that was founded by Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen that specialized in smooth jazz, jazz fusion and jazz-pop. His first debut album in 1977 was recorded with Ricardo Marrero. He has recorded with such notables as Noel Pointer, Patti Austin, Chris Connor, Eliane Elias, and Nnenna Freelon. He was chosen best jazz flautist by readers of Jazziz magazine for seven years in a row. In 1985 he received a Grammy Award nomination and in 2003 for Caribbean Jazz Project he won a Grammy. He suffered a stroke in 2012 and 2015, he died from complications of a stroke and Parkinson's disease.
Musician. He was an American Latin-Jazz flutist. Born David Joseph Valentin to Puerto Rican parents in Bronx, New York. At the age of 12 he took up flute and began teaching himself practing from a Herbie Mann record. He later recorded an album with Herbie Mann called Two Amigos. Hubert Laws became his mentor and teacher. In the 1970's he combined Latin with jazz music in bands with Bill O'Connell, Lincoln Goines, Richie Morales and others. He was the first musician to sign with GRP Records label that was founded by Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen that specialized in smooth jazz, jazz fusion and jazz-pop. His first debut album in 1977 was recorded with Ricardo Marrero. He has recorded with such notables as Noel Pointer, Patti Austin, Chris Connor, Eliane Elias, and Nnenna Freelon. He was chosen best jazz flautist by readers of Jazziz magazine for seven years in a row. In 1985 he received a Grammy Award nomination and in 2003 for Caribbean Jazz Project he won a Grammy. He suffered a stroke in 2012 and 2015, he died from complications of a stroke and Parkinson's disease.
Bio by: Babe
Advertisement
See more Valentin memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
