Paquito D'Rivera

Paquito D'Rivera

D'Rivera in 2013
Background information
Born (1948-06-04) 4 June 1948
Origin Havana, Cuba
Genres Bebop, Afro-Cuban jazz, Latin jazz, post-bop
Occupation(s) Clarinetist, saxophonist
Instruments Alto saxophone, clarinet, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute
Years active 1970s–present
Labels Sunnyside Records, Paquito Records
Associated acts Paquito D'Rivera Quintet, Trío Corrente, Caribbean Jazz Project
Website Official website

Paquito D'Rivera (born June 4, 1948 in Cuba) is an alto saxophonist, clarinetist and soprano saxophonist. The winner of 14 Grammy Awards, he is celebrated both for his artistry in Latin jazz and his achievements as a classical composer. [1]

Early life

Born in Havana, Cuba, he performed at age 10 with the National Theater Orchestra, studied at the Havana Conservatory of Music and, at 17, became a featured soloist with the Cuban National Symphony. [1]

Career

By 1980, D'Rivera had become dissatisfied with the constraints placed on his music in Cuba for many years. In an interview with ReasonTV, D'Rivera notes that the Cuban communist government described jazz and rock and roll as "imperialist" music that was officially discouraged in the 1960s/70s, and that a meeting with Che Guevara sparked his desire to leave Cuba.[2] In early 1981, while on tour in Spain, he sought asylum with the American Embassy, and left his homeland, wife and child behind in search of a better life with a promise to get them out. Upon his arrival in the United States, D'Rivera found great support for him and his family. His mother, Maura, and his sister, Rosario, had left Cuba in 1968 and became U.S. citizens. Maura had worked in the U.S. in the fashion industry for many years, and Rosario was now a respected artist/entrepreneur. He was introduced to the jazz scene at some of the most prestigious clubs and concert halls in New York. He became something of a phenomenon after the release of his first two solo albums, Paquito Blowin' (June 1981) and Mariel (July 1982).

Throughout his career in the United States, D'Rivera's albums have received reviews from critics and have hit the top of the jazz charts. His albums have shown a progression that demonstrates his extraordinary abilities in bebop, classical and Latin/Caribbean music. D'Rivera's expertise transcends musical genres as he is the only artist to ever have won Grammy Awards in both Classical and Latin Jazz categories.[3]

D'Rivera also plays with "crossover" artists such as the Ying Quartet, Turtle Island String Quartet, cellist Mark Summer, pianist Alon Yavnai, and Yo-Yo Ma. He has performed in venues such as Carnegie Hall and played with the National Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, Bronx Arts Ensemble, Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, YOA Orchestra of the Americas, Costa Rican Symphony Orchestra, American Youth Philharmonic, and Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra.

In 2005, D'Rivera wrote a letter criticizing musician Carlos Santana for his decision to wear a T-shirt with the image of Che Guevara on it to the 2005 Academy Awards, citing Guevara's role in the execution of counter-revolutionaries in Cuba, including his own cousin.[4]

D'Rivera was a judge for the 5th and 8th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists.[5]

Paquito D'Rivera Quintet

The band backing D'Rivera consists of Peruvian bassist Oscar Stagnaro, Argentinean trumpeter Diego Urcola, American drummer Mark Walker, and pianist Alex Brown.[6] As a whole they are named the "Paquito D'Rivera Quintet"[6] and under this name they were awarded the Latin Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album for the album Live at the Blue Note in 2001.[7]

Personal life

D'Rivera lives in North Bergen, New Jersey.[8]

GRAMMYs

Awards

U.S. President George W. Bush stands with recipients of the 2005 National Medal of Arts on 9 November 2005, in the Oval Office.

Discography

1978 - 1989

1990 - 1999

2000 - 2009

2010 - 2014

As sideman

With Dizzy Gillespie

With Lalo Schifrin

References

  1. 1 2 "Official Website Bio". Paquito D'Rivera Website. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  2. ↑ "Hollywood's Sick Love Affair with Che Guevara", reason.tv; accessed November 16, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Paquito D'Rivera Biography". Boosey & Hawkes, Inc. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
  4. ↑ D'Rivera criticizes Carlos Santana over Che Guevara T-shirt, independent.org; accessed November 16, 2014.
  5. ↑ Independent Music Awards – Past Judges, independentmusicawards.com; accessed November 16, 2014.
  6. 1 2 "Paquito D'Rivera Quintet – The Band". Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  7. ↑ Harrigan, Tom (October 31, 2001). "Alejandro Sanz tops list of Latin Grammy Awards winners". The Daily Gazette. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
  8. ↑ Heinis, John. "Paquito D'Rivera, other Latin legends see their stars unveiled in ceremony at Celia Cruz Plaza in Union City", The Jersey Journal, June 1, 2012. Accessed September 10, 2015. "Global icon Paquito D'Rivera, 63, a seven-time Grammy-award winner, received a star yesterday. The reed man, known mostly for his high-flying Latin jazz music, moved to the United States from Cuba in 1980. He currently resides in North Bergen."
  9. ↑ "2014 Best Latin Jazz Album". 15th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  10. ↑ "2013 Best Latin Jazz Album". GRAMMY Awards.

External links

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