Dave Valentin (born January 1, 1954) is a jazz flutist. He learned latin percussion first when he was a teenager, and then switched to flute. And then he studied at the Bronx Community College. He is of Puerto Rican descent. January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jazz is an original American musical art form originating around the start of the 20th century in New Orleans. ... The term Latin percussion refers to any member of a large family of musical percussion instruments used in Latin music, which in turn is a very loosy related group of musical styles, mainly from the Latin American region, and ultimately having roots or influences in African tribal music. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... The Bronx Community College of The City University of New York is a community college in the City University of New York system. ...