Lágrimas Negras (album)

Lágrimas Negras is a 2003 album by Cuban pianist, bandleader, composer and arranger Bebo Valdés and Spanish flamenco singer Diego el Cigala. Lágrimas Negras is a fusion of Cuban rhythms and flamenco vocals, produced by Spanish composer, producer and guitarist Javier Limón and book editor, screenwriter, film director and producer Fernando Trueba and released by Calle 54 Records and BMG Music Spain.

Background
During his career Bebo Valdés (born Ramón Emilio Valdés Amaro; 9 October 1918) —one of the founders of Latin jazz, and a pioneer in bringing Afro-Cuban sacred rhythms to popular dance music— won seven Grammy Awards: two for El Arte del Sabor (2002), one for Lágrimas Negras (Black Tears), and two for Bebo de Cuba in 2006 (in the categories "Best Traditional Tropical Album" and "Best Latin Jazz Album").

His last musical production was one recorded with his son: 2008’s Bebo y Chucho Valdés: Juntos para Siempre (Together Forever), winner of the Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album at the 52nd Grammy Awards in 2010; they also won the Latin Grammy Award on the same field.

Valdés spent his last years in Málaga, Spain, before heading back to his home in Stockholm, Sweden, a few weeks before his death. He died in Stockholm on March 22, 2013: he had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Personnel

 * Piano: Bebo Valdés [All Tracks]
 * Vocals: Dieguito el Cigala [All Tracks]
 * Vocals: Dieguito el Cigala & Caetano Veloso [Track 9]

Guest musicians

 * Bass: Javier Colina [Tracks: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, & 9]
 * Contrabass: Javier Colina [Track 4]
 * Cajón: Rickard Valdés [Track 1]
 * Cajón: Israel Porrina "Piraña" [Tracks 2, 3, 5, 6 & 8]
 * Alto Saxophone: Paquito D'Rivera [Track 3]
 * Congas: Tata Güines [Track 3]
 * Shekere: Pancho Terry [Track 3]
 * Timbales: Changuito [Track 3]
 * Violin: Federico Britos [Track 4]
 * Guitar: "Niño Josele" (Juan José Heredia) [Track 5]
 * Chorus: Milton Cardona, Pedrito Martínez, Orlando "Puntilla" Ríos [Track 8]

Production and design
Coordinator [Production Coordination In New York]: Derek Kwan, Todd Barkan

Executive Producer: Fernando Trueba, Nat Chediak

Mastered by: Alan Silverman

Photography by: Guillermo Rodriguez

Photography by [Making Of]: Carlos Carcass

Producer: Fernando Trueba, Javier Limón

Recorded by [Additional at Avatar Studios, New York]: Jim Anderson

Recorded by [Additional at Criteria - The Hit Factory, Miami]: Eric Schilling

Recorded by [Additional at Musiquina, Madrid]: Javier Limón

Recorded by [Assistant], Mixed by [Assistant]: Guillaume Cora

Recorded and mixed by Pepe Loeches