Latest News
Dec. 22 Special Panel: "Bebop and Its Application to Tango"
Irene Diamond Education Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center - 6pm
Join us as Pablo Aslan, Michael Zisman, and Paquito D'Rivera discuss the intrinsic relationship between Argentinean Tango and American Bebop. Moderated by JALC's Todd Barkan. Discussion and concert attendees will receive a free download of "Bandoneon" from the new Tango Jazz: Live at Jazz at Lincoln Center CD. Email required.
Cape Cod Files by D'Rivera, Now on CD - "American Music for Clarinet and Piano"
The Cape Cod Files was written in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival. Jon Manasse, Clarinet and Jon Nakamatsu, Piano, perform the Cape Cod Files with other American pieces and named "Album of the Week" by radio station WQXR based in New York.
Released in November on Harmonia Mundi label, "American Music for Clarinet and Piano" with Jon Manasse, Clarinet and Jon Nakamatsu is available through
and Amazon.
The Cape Code Files by Paquito D'Rivera is published by Boosey and Hawkes.
Paquito Appears with Dave Matthews Band at Madison Square Gardens
On Nov. 12, Paquito D'Rivera appears with the Dave Matthews Band at Madison Square Gardens.
November 2 Release - Panamericana Suite on MCG Jazz Label
Recorded live at Pittsburgh’s Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild for MCG Jazz, Panamericana Suite takes its name from a piece commissioned by Jazz at Lincoln Center that D’Rivera premiered in 2000. A stunning cultural synthesis encompassing North, Central, and South America leavened with a Caribbean rhythmic sensibility, the project reflects D’Rivera’s embracing musical vision.
The new CD boasts an all-star international cast, with Pedro Martinez (batas, timbales, vocals), Pernell Saturnino (percussion), Oscar Stagnaro (bass), and Mark Walker (drums) comprising the supple rhythm section.
Tracks: Waltz for Moe; Con Alma; Preludio No. 3; Tojo; Panamericana Suite; Fiddle Dreams; Serenade.
Available directly from MCG Jazz, on and soon to be on Amazon.
Tango Jazz: Live at Jazz at Lincoln Center" - Full Release September 28
Tango Jazz: Live at Jazz at Lincoln Center, recorded in New York City in March 2010, is a scintillating live document, featuring the great Argentine bassist Pablo Aslan, pianist Abel Rogantini, violinists Nicolas Danielson and Pablo Agri, trumpeter Gustavo Bergalli, Michael Zisman and the legendary Raul Jaurena on bandoneon, and drummer Daniel Piazzolla, grandson of the immortal tango master Astor Piazzolla. They successfully continue the Paquito D'Rivera's tango-centric focus he started on his 2007 release Funk Tango.
Available only as a limited release August 28, now available from Paquito Records/Sunnyside Records on
and worldwide.
Read full Press Release about Tango Jazz and audio excerpts from the album.
New D'Rivera Composition "Kites" Now on CD - August 24, 2010
IMANI WINDS (Woodwind Quintet) New CD "Terra Incognita" (E1 Music) features Paquito D'Rivera's new composition "KITES," and works by Wayne Shorter and Jason Moran. D'Rivera and his sideman, Alex Brown, pianist, are guest artists on "Kites" performing with the Imani Winds.
"Kites" sheet music is available exclusively now at Boosey & Hawkes.
See Imani Winds interview about the new CD:
New Release - August 3, 2010 "Paquito D'Rivera Presents: Alex Brown, Pianist"
Presented by the great Cuban saxophonist/clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera, who featured Brown as a sideman on his 2009 CD, jaZZ claZZ, Brown's incredible pianism - which combines the staccato brilliance of Chick Corea and the imaginative, percussive power of Herbie Hancock - swings front and center stage on this nine-track recording, fronting an international supporting cast consisting of D'Rivera, bassist Ben Williams, drummer Eric Doob, percussionist Pedro Martinez, marimba virtuoso Warren Wolf, and flugelhorn player Vivek Patel, on a program comprised primarily of compositions by the leader that encompass North and Latin America, straight-ahead, Afro-Cuban, Spanish, and Brazilian-tinged jazz.
Read more about Alex Brown latest release. Available from Sunnyside Records.
D'Rivera Named 2010 Nelson A. Rockefeller Honoree
On March 15, Paquito D'Rivera will receive the Nelson A. Rockefeller Honoree awarded by Purchase College, State University of New York. Rockefeller Awards are presented to individuals who have distinguished themselves through their contributions to the arts.
Presentation to place on March 15, 8:00 pm (6:30 pm, tickets required). Millennium Broadway Hotel/The Hudson Theatre, 145 West 44th Street , New York City.
Paquito D'Rivera to Receive African American Classical Music Award
On March 13, Paquito D'Rivera will receive the African American Classical Music Award at the 20th Anniversary Scholarship Benefit Concert & Silent Auction at Spelman College, New Brunswick, NJ. The event, sponsored by The Northern NJ Chapter of NAASC, will be featuring the Spelman College Jazz Ensemble and the proceeds are to benefit the NNJC scholarship program.
Concert on March 13, 7:00 pm at the Nicolas Music Center, Douglass College Campus of Rutgers University, 85 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ
Interview - Composer Portrait: Paquito D'Rivera
Prior to the January 19th performance of "Conversations with Cachao" with the American Composers Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, D'Rivera talks about his premiered work.
The Back Story behind "Borat in Syracuse" - Nominated for a GRAMMY on Sunday
First premiered at Goldstein Auditorium at Syracuse University, an article was released today on "Inside SU" about the thinking behind D'Rivera's piece "Borat in Syracuse" now on Timba Records.
On the GRAMMYs this Sunday, Jan. 31, "Borat in Syracuse" is nominated for a GRAMMY in Category 84 "Best Instrumental Composition". The article goes on to quote D'Rivera's thinking behind the piece:
"…just seen the hilarious movie ‘Borat.' … (he) envisioned the 'skinny character' trekking over mountains of snow in Syracuse, wearing his trademark gray suit, carrying a brown leather bag with a live chicken in it, waving a small American flag…That image was so descriptive and hilarious that the melody, especially the Middle Eastern vibe of the bridge, just came out naturally..."
You can read the full article from Syracuse University publication "Inside SU"
You can watch the GRAMMYs this weekend on CBS at 8:00 pm EST/PST
"Conversations with Cachao" Premieres at Carnegie Hall
with the American Composers Orchestra
On Jan. 29, 7:30 pm in Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall, Paquito D'Rivera's work "Conversations with Cachao" will be the featured premiere work in the American Composers Orchestra program "Orchestra Underground: Conversations". Lead by Conductor Ann Manson, Paquito's tribute to Israel "Cachao" López, Havana bass player who made Cuban Mambo a worldwide phenomenon, will join two other world premieres with the American Composers Orchestra.
D'Rivera's work "Conversations with Cachao", forms the program's centerpiece. The double bass soloist with Robert Black, performs with D'Rivera who "dialogues" with Black on clarinet and alto sax.
Read the full press release here.
For tickets: Carnegie Hall