David Joseph Valentin was born on April 29, 1952 and died on March 8, 2017.
He was an American Latin jazz flautist.
Valentin attended The High School of Music & Art.
Valentin learned percussion at an early age, and by 10 was playing conga and timbales professionally.
At 12 years old, he took up flute so he could get to know a girl in school who played the flute, Irene Cathcart.
Valentin borrowed a flute, bought a Herbie Mann record, and started to teach himself.
After some years, Dave recorded an album with Mann called Two Amigos.
Valentin took lessons from Hubert Laws, who became his mentor.
Valentin made a combination with Latin music and jazz in bands in the 1970s, with Bill O’Connell, Lincoln Goines, Richie Morales, Robby Ameen, Sammy Figueroa, and Giovanni Hidalgo.
David was the first musician signed to GRP Records, a label founded by Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen that specialized in smooth jazz, jazz fusion, and jazz-pop.
He had a stroke in March of 2012 which left him partially paralyzed and unable to perform.
During 2015 David suffered a second stroke and worked hard to overcome his disabilities in an extended care facility.
He died from complications of a stroke and Parkinson’s disease in the Bronx.
David Joseph Valentin passed away at 64 years old.