Valentin has journeyed to Colorado Springs annually since 1988 as a favor to his longtime friend, Fred Whitacre, to present area jazz fans with a world-class performance to benefit the community. The two met in 1984 when Whitacre was working in the front office of the San Diego Padres baseball team and invited Valentin to come to the city to record with smooth jazz supergroup Fattburger for their first album. The group, founded by another of Whitacre's pals, the late saxophone great Hollis Gentry, has become a sensation over the last two decades.

The Bronx artist plays the flute with a flare and wild, scintillating, all consuming fire, not generally associated with the flute, but also with the tenderness you'd expect with an instrument associated with the calm and serene. Beginning as a percussionist, switching to flute and mentored by the renowned Hubert Laws, he also served as music director for "El Rey" (Tito Puente) for the last six years of Puente's life.

Valentin's percussion background led him to experiment with unique approaches to traditional flute technique like producing percussive effects and singing and playing at the same time. Surrounded by colleagues Bill O'Connell, Robby Ameen, Ruben Rodriguez and others, Dave's HighNote Records' 2005 debut featured a selection of originals, traditional Latin Jazz tunes and a take on "World On A String" that was a huge success.

His 2006 album, "Come Fly With Me,"is a standout in his discography, as one of very few straight down the middle Latin jazz records. Without a funk groove or samba in sight, the play list is predominantly Afro-Cuban, with a little New York thrown in for fun. Another highpoint release is his joint effort, "Two Amigos," with Herbie Mann, and his 2002 Caribbean Jazz project album, "The Gathering," won the Grammy as the Best Latin Jazz Album.

Be on hand and you will know why Dave Valentin won a Grammy Award and has been recognized as the leading jazz flutist by Jazziz Magazine for eight consecutive years. He's still the world's number one jazz flutist, with a reputation for igniting his audience, playing 15 flutes at a relentless pace during a spectacular performance. His recent performances in Colorado Springs have been highlighted by his invitations to young musicians from the Colorado Springs Conservatory to take the stage for their own numbers in the spotlights.

The evening is presented by the Pikes Peak Community Foundation's Fund for the Arts, FutureSelf, and The Colorado Springs Conservatory, in collaboration with whitacreWorks

Antlers Hilton Hotel, Colorado Springs Downtown

6:30 p.m.- Meet The Artist Reception, VIP Seating,

8 p.m.- Concert

Concert Only: $25

Concert & Meet The Artist VIP Reception: $75

Table (10 seats, general admission): $250

VIP Table (10 seats) with Meet The Artist Reception: $750