Wapango paquito drivera biography
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In 1988, Paquito D’Rivera was a founding member of the ‘United Nation Orchestra’, a 15-piece band organized by Dizzy Gillespie, to present the fusion of Latin and Caribbean influences with jazz. explore
He took D'Rivera to clubs like the Tropicana (frequented by his musician friends and customers) and to concert bands and orchestras. At that age he began his relationship with the famous French company Selmer, whose instruments his father imported to Cuba. In 2008, he received the award from the Association for Jazz Education Present and the Frankfurter Musikpreis (Germany).
In 2010, he was named Nelson A Rockefeller Honoree and given the Spelman College African American Classical Music Award.
The album “Bebo Rides Again” served as a great impetus to bring “Caballón” back to the ring, as the legendary Cuban musician was affectionately called.
Awards
He was awarded the NEA Jazz Masters Award in 2005 and the National Medal of the Arts (2005), as well as the Kennedy Center’s Living Jazz Legend Award (2007).
‘Irakere’ toured around the world, garnered several Grammy nominations, and received one in 1979.
For his part, his multiple recordings include more than 40 solo albums. 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.[1]
D'Rivera also plays with "crossover" artists such as the Ying Quartet, Turtle Island String Quartet, cellistMark Summer, pianistAlon Yavnai, and Yo-Yo Ma.
He has performed in venues such as Carnegie Hall and played with the National Symphony Orchestra, London Royal Symphony, Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, Bronx Arts Ensemble, Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, Costa Rican Symphony Orchestra, American Youth Philharmonic, and Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra.
D'Rivera is an Artist in Residence at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and artistic director of the Festival International de Jazz en el Tambo in Uruguay.
In early 1980, while on tour in Spain, he sought asylum with the American Embassy, leaving his wife and child behind, with a promise to bring them out of Cuba. Upon his arrival in the United States, D'Rivera found help from many people for him and his family. The National Endowment for the Arts on its website highlights that Paquito “has become an accomplished multinational ambassador, creating and promoting a musical interculturality that moves effortlessly between jazz, Latin music and Mozart.”
After many years separated, in 2022 Paquito D’ Rivera took the stage again with Chucho Valdés, who he considers to be, along with his father and teacher, the most important influence on his musical career.
He became something of a phenomenon after the release of his first two solo albums, Paquito Blowin' (June 1981) and Mariel (July 1982).
Mr. ‘The United Nation Orchestra’ won a Grammy in 1991, the same year D’ Rivera was honored at Carnegie Hall for his contribution to Latin music.
At age five, D'Rivera began saxophone lessons by his father.
Paquito D'Rivera
| Paquito D'Rivera | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 4, 1948 (1948-06-04)(age 62) |
| Origin | Havana, Cuba |
| Genres | Bebop, Afro-Cuban jazz, Latin jazz, post bop |
| Occupations | Clarinetist, saxophonist |
| Instruments | Alto saxophone, clarinet, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute |
| Years active | 1970s – present |
| Labels | Messidor, Columbia, Chesky Records |
| Associated acts | Caribbean Jazz Project |
Paquito D'Rivera (born 4 June 1948 in Havana, Cuba) is a Cubanalto saxophonist, clarinetist and soprano saxophonist.
Biography
Paquito was a child prodigy.
Due to their variety and eclecticism, D’Rivera’s three groups, ‘The Chamber Jazz Ensemble’, ‘Paquito D’Rivera Big Band’ and ‘Paquito D’Rivera Quintet’ have been acclaimed and applauded around the world.
Performer and Composer of Classical Music
At the same time that his discography is enthusiastically dedicated to jazz, Be-Bop, Brazilian music and Latin American styles in general, Paquito also successfully ventures into classical music.
He is also a member of the Alon Yavnai-Paquito D'Rivera Duet and the Jazz Chamber Trio.
He has also written a memoir entitled My Sax Life.
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.
D'Rivera was a judge for the 5th and 8th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists.
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CBS Records FC39584
D'Rivera quickly earned respect among American jazz musicians and was introduced to the jazz scene at some of the most prestigious clubs and concert halls in New York. D’Rivera is the author of several literary works: ‘My Sax Life’ (1999), published by Northwestern University Press; the funny and nostalgic novel ‘Oh, Havana!’ (2004), published by MT Editores (Barcelona), ‘To be or not to be, that’s the joke!’ (2010) by Ediciones Universal and ‘Letters to Yeyito: Lessons from a Life in Music’.
As a producer, Paquito is proud to have recorded pianist Bebo Valdés – exiled in Sweden since 1960 – In 1994, after more than 3 decades absent from recording studios.