Latin Jazz at 92Y: Paquito D’Rivera

Paquito D’Rivera by Ricardo Rios

Cuban-born bandleader/composer/reeds player extraordinaire Paquito D’Rivera returns to 92Y for an evening of sizzling Latin jazz.

Winner of 14 Grammy Awards, Paquito began his musical career as a classical music prodigy on the clarinet; his musical interests now range from classical to jazz and bebop to Latin. He was a founding member of Dizzy Gillespie’s award-winning United Nations Orchestra, and he tours the world with his own ensembles, including the Chamber Jazz Ensemble, the Paquito D’Rivera Big Band and the Paquito D’Rivera Quintet.

After a set by the Paquito D’Rivera Ensemble, Mr. D’Rivera gives a special preview from a new work-in-progress for solo clarinet, strings, flute, percussion and jazz ensemble. The new piece combines the composer’s jazz and classical sides, and influences from his heritage such as the sounds of traditional Chinese instruments — a contribution from the Cuban-Chinese community that is now part of Cuban musical culture!

Paquito D’Rivera, clarinet & sax
Alex Brown, piano
Eric Doob, drums
Zach Brown, acoustic bass
Diego Urcola, trumpet & trombone
Arturo Stable, percussion

With special guest artists:
Alex Fortes, violin
Rebekah Durham, violin
Drew Forde, viola
Peter Sachon, cello
Amy Kang, cello
Marco Granados, flute
James Shipp, xylophone, marimba, glockenspiel