Soloist Paquito D’rivera.jpg

Paquito D'Rivera

Saxophone | Jazz

Born on the island of Cuba, Paquito D’Rivera began his career as a child prodigy. A restless musical genius during his teen years, Mr. D’Rivera created various original and ground-breaking musical ensembles. As a founding member of the Orquesta Cubana de Musica Moderna, he directed that group for two years, while at the same time playing both the clarinet and saxophone with the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra. He eventually went on to premiere several works by notable Cuban composers with the same orchestra. Additionally, he was a founding member and co-director of the innovative musical ensemble Irakere. With its explosive mixture of jazz, rock, classical and traditional Cuban music never before heard, Irakere toured extensively throughout America and Europe, won several Grammy nominations (1979, 1980) and a Grammy (1979).

NYYS Partners

Our Partner Organizations

Stay Connected

Ways to Support

Donate today and help support our students continue their journey and become a part of our community of musicians and change the landscape of what the musical world look like today.

Donate

Unparalleled Performances

Experience all the hard work, practice and rehearsals that our students take on and show up to see them perform at one of our many concerts throughout the season.

Get Tickets

Enroll Today

Take the plunge and give yourself an opportunity to become a part of our amazing community of musicians, songwriters, composers and conductors.

Enroll Today