Raised on Afro-Cuban rhythms like rumba and bata, Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba played the Havana jazz scene for 12 years with stars like Machito, Chico Hamilton and Paquito D’Rivera before touring internationally with Orquesta Aragón and making his U.S. debut with a sold out appearance at Lincoln Center in 1983. Rubalcaba’s 2001 collaboration with bassist Charlie Haden, Nocturne, won the Best Latin Jazz Album Grammy. The same year Rubalcaba's seventh solo Blue Note release, Supernova, was nominated for three Grammy Awards: Composer, Arranger and Best Latin Jazz Album. Esteemed for seamlessly combining Cuban and American jazz traditions, Rubalcaba’s impeccable technique and remarkable improvisation skills have earned him a reputation as one of the most important Latin jazz musicians working today.