Vail Jazz at Vail Square will take place on Thursdays throughout the summer from 6 pm to 8 pm. On August 18th, Maraca + His Latin jazz All-Stars will perform. Born into a family of musicians, Orlando “Maraca” Valle began studying flute at 10 in his native Havana. At 22 he joined the famous Cuban group Irakere founded by Chucho Valdés and Paquito D’Rivera as flutist, keyboard, composer and arranger, and later shared the stage with Dizzy Gillespie and Chick Corea among many others. His international appeal has led him to stages globally, performing in a variety of genres including Latin jazz, Cuban jazz, salsa, timba, world music and jazz fusion. He is also considered an authority and major influence in Afro-Cuban music and received a Grammy® nomination for Best Salsa Album, reflecting his ability to blend jazz improvisation with the most danceable elements of Cuban popular music. Helping provide the energy to his dynamic performance are Giovanni Hidalgo (congas), Robby Ameen (drums), Steve Turre (trombone), Harold Lopez-Nussa (piano), Yasek Manzano (trumpet), Jorge Reyes (bass), and Irving Acao (saxophone).