Oscar Valdés (Padre)

Cuban percussionist (b. 19 December 1912 – d. 19 July 2003), also nickamed Oscar Valdés "El Viejo" (= Sr.), father of Oscar Valdés Jr. and Lázaro Valdés (2) Began his career in 1932 with the band Segundo Nacional. Standing in for his brother, Alfredo Valdes, he also sang for the orchestras of Orestes Lopez and Cheo Belén Puig. Later, he joined the Sexteto Cauto. From 1945-1948, he lived in Mexico, where he played percussion in his brother Alfredo Valdes' orchestra. Afterwards, he returned to Cuba and joined the orchestra of Armando Pi where his precise sense of timing earned him the nickname "El Abuelo Reloj" (The Grandfather Clock). He recorded with Orquesta Sabor de Cuba and toured the world with a variety of other Cuban ensembles before he retired from performing in 1968.