Gonzalo Rubalcaba on Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard, Benny Moré and Nat King Cole

September 17, 2025

Gonzalo Rubalcaba is a Grammy-winning Cuban pianist and composer celebrated as one of the most innovative voices in modern jazz. He’ll be performing at Indy Jazz Fest on September 19. Born in Havana in 1963 to a musical family, Rubalcaba was classically trained before emerging as a prodigy of the city’s vibrant jazz scene. His virtuosic technique quickly drew international attention, leading to collaborations with legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Haden, and Herbie Hancock. In his conversation with WFYI’s Kyle Long, Rubalcaba discusses his connection to Dizzy Gillespie and his latest album, “A Tribute to Benny Moré and Nat King Cole.”