Alfredo "Alfredito" Valdes, Jr. was born to parents Alfredo Valdes, Sr. and Ana María Purmuy on May 31st, 1941. He was nephew to singer Vicentico Valdés (1921-1995), and percussionists Marcelino and Oscar Valdés. His first cousin Lázaro Valdés played piano with Beny Moré. Alfredo grew up listening to Arsenio Rodríguez, Cheo Marquetti, Abelardito Valdés, Conjunto Casino and other Cuban artists. This sparked his interest in Cuban music. His parents took him to the nearby Buena Vista Social Club, where Arsenio's conjunto were key performers. His mother encouraged him to play piano which eventually graduated to the beginnings of a wildly successful music career in 1953. Between 1979 and 1986 Alfredo has released 61 records, including: Interpreta Sus Exitos Con El Septeto Nacional ('81), Monguito El Unico ('82) and Su Piano y su Sabor! ('86).