Rubén Valtierra
| Rubén Valtierra | |
|---|---|
| Born |
26 December 1954 San Rafael, California |
| Occupation | Keyboardist, producer, composer |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
Rubén Valtierra (born December 26, 1954 in San Rafael, California) is the versatile keyboardist best known for working with "Weird Al" Yankovic. The two met at the Dr. Demento 20th Anniversary special in October 1991. Shortly after, Yankovic invited him to join his band. Valtierra can also be heard on the most popular tracks of Yankovic's albums and videos.
Valtierra began classical studies at the age of ten. After playing in his high school orchestra, he attended the University of California at Santa Cruz, and later was a member of the award-winning Cabrillo College Big Band. Upon graduation from UCSC in 1979, Valtierra led the popular Santa Cruz jazz/funk fusion group, Rush Hour, until moving to Los Angeles where, soon after arriving, he was playing, recording and traveling the world with members of groups such as Santana, Aretha Franklin, Tom Jones, Natalie Cole, Tower of Power, Chick Corea, Elton John, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Valtierra began touring and recording with Yankovic in 1991, along with world tours with rock legend Glenn Hughes/Deep Purple in 1995 and Blues Icon Charlie Musselwhite in 1997, .
When not touring, Valtierra is active in the studio, writing and producing, along with leading his Latin Orchestra (VLO).
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