Rubén Valtierra (born December 26, 1954) is a keyboardist best known for recording and touring with "Weird Al" Yankovic. The two met at the Dr. Demento 20th Anniversary special in October 1991, and shortly after Valtierra joined his band.
Rubén Valtierra | |
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| Born | 26 December 1954 San Rafael, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Keyboardist, producer, composer |
Biography
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,[1] and later was a member of the award-winning Cabrillo College Big Band. Upon graduation from UCSC in 1978, Valtierra led the popular Santa Cruz jazz/funk fusion group, Rush Hour, until moving to Los Angeles where he began playing and touring with groups such as Santana, Aretha Franklin, Tom Jones, Natalie Cole, Tower of Power, Chick Corea, Elton John, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.[citation needed] Valtierra also toured with Glenn Hughes/Deep Purple in 1995 and Charlie Musselwhite in 1997.[citation needed] Valtierra also writes and produces, and leads his band Valtierra Latin Orchestra (VLO).[2]