2007/2008 Season
Paquito D’Rivera Quintet
Born on the island of Cuba, Paquito D’Rivera began his career as a child prodigy. A restless musical genius during his teen years, D’Rivera created various original, ground-breaking musical ensembles. He was a founding member and co-director of the innovative musical ensemble Irakere. Performing an explosive mixture of jazz, rock, classical and traditional Cuban music, Irakere toured extensively throughout America and Europe. Recently, D’Rivera received his eighth Grammy and was named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master in 2005. Joining D'Rivera onstage will be pianist Alex Brown; bassist Oscar Stagnaro; trumpet player and trombonist Diego Urcola; drummer Mark Walker; percussionist Pernell Saturnino; and Hector Del Curto on the Bandoneon.