Librado Valdez - Bass

“It’s not where you from, but where you at.”

Having been considered the “in the pocket” Bass player by everyone he has ever played with, he was introduced to the Blues at an early age by his sitter’s husband who one night took him aside and played Howlin’ Wolf, from that moment on his soul found a home. Being born in South Texas, he was exposed to a great many styles of music. He comes from a musical family excelling in the Tex-Mex music scene. Librado has recorded under the label of Freddie Records out of San Antonio with Bad News and had five number one hits. Nevertheless, his soul was in the Blues.

Since moving to Chicago in 1991 he helped co-founded Lil’ V and the Heartstoppers (Blue-eyed Texas Rockin’ Blues). In 1992, he was invited to cross the pond and tour with the great BB King at the Sardegna Jazz Fest. Upon returning, Lil V recorded 2 CD’s, toured this great nation from festivals to Blues clubs galore. Librado has had the honor to play and share the stage with a great many artists that were his idols including; Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Jimmy Dawkins, KoKo Taylor, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Tinsley Ellis, Kenny Neal, Pinetop Perkins, Bob Margolin, Son Seals, Lonnie, Ronnie, and Wayne Baker Brooks, Honeyboy Edwards, Hubert Sumlin, Deitra Farr, Chicago Beau, Katherine Davis, to Spyro Gyra, just to name a few. In 2011 was invited to play the T-Bone Walker Blues Fest in Marshall, Texas with Bobbie “Mercy” Oliver.

Listening to Bass players today is Librado’s way of relaxing, as well as stimulating the “pushing the envelope” ideology that we all have in us to create new forms of playing. Having come full circle,(from managing, composing, writing, producing, booking), he is now re-kindling the love affair with the Blues. His greatest influences are James Jamerson, Willie Dixon, Mr. Evil, Charles Mingus, Charles “Bird“ Parker, Jr., and Gene Kruppa.