Paquito D'Rivera
Cuban ex-patriate Paquito D’Rivera was one of those rare child prodigies who more than fulfilled his early promise. After co-founding the Orquesta Cubana de Musica Moderna, D’Rivera went on to develop the innovative supergroup Irakere, whose groundbreaking mix of jazz, rock, classical and traditional Cuban music created international excitement and garnered several Grammy nominations. A clarinetist and saxophonist of sublime ability, D’Rivera has recorded over 30 solo albums in jazz, bebop, Latin and classical music – winning six Grammies along the way. If that wasn’t enough, in January of 2005 the National Endowment for the Arts named Paquito D’Rivera a N.E.A. Jazz
Master - America’s highest honour in jazz. Last seen here in 1991 as a member of Dizzy Gillespie’s “United Nations Orchestra,” D’Rivera will be appearing with his quintet for a must-see show of Latin-flavoured jazz performed at the very highest level. His longtime bandmates include Oscar Stagnaro bass, Mark Walker drums, Alon Yavnai piano, and Diego Urcola trumpet.