Pepe Valdez is a Peruvian/American guitarist, composer and educator based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. A versatile musician, Valdez is at ease playing straight ahead jazz, rock, pop, as well as playing folk music from Latin America. Valdez keeps a busy and active schedule, working as as High School Guitar teacher and as  freelance musician and composer. Valdez is also the Director of Fine Arts at Pegasus School of Liberal Arts & Sciences, a Charter School located in the heart of downtown Dallas.

Valdez studied privately in Lima, Perú  before he left to study music abroad. He landed in Sao Paulo, Brazil where he studied Brazilian Music and Jazz at  Conservatorio Souza Lima for 2 years. He then relocated to Denton, Texas where he completed both his Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Jazz Guitar Performance at the University of North Texas. During his time at UNT Valdez won 3 DownBeat Student Music Awards for being part of ensembles, including one for leading his own quintet. 

Valdez is the musical director and co-leader of El Chanclazo, a band that performs traditional Latin American music, from Boleroes, Valses and Huapangos to Polkas, Sones and Rumbas. Valdez is also the Musical Director and Lead Guitarist at Parkway Hills Baptist Church, a position he has old for over 6 years. Valdez leads various solo projects that focus on music of Latin America as well as on traditional Jazz repertoire.