Cuban-American saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer Paquito D’Rivera — a towering figure whose joyful spirit matches his musical brilliance — will be honored as the newest recipient of the Giants of Jazz Award on November 29, 2025 at the South Orange Performing Arts Center. The event will feature an all-star lineup including Eric Alexander, Don Braden, Roberta Gambarini, Jeb Patton, Rufus Reid, Steve Davis, Freddie Hendrix, and Yotam Silberstein.
At 77, D’Rivera remains a symbol of artistic excellence and personal courage. Raised in Havana by a classical saxophonist father, he absorbed everything from Mozart to Benny Goodman and began performing professionally as a child.
After co-founding the groundbreaking Cuban ensembles Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna and Irakere, he famously defected during a European tour, seeking creative freedom away from Cuba’s political restrictions. His leap of faith came at great personal cost — years without seeing his family — yet it launched an extraordinary international career supported by legends like Dizzy Gillespie.
Still fiercely active, D’Rivera continues to blend classical, jazz, and Latin traditions. His latest album, La Fleur de Cayenne, recorded with the Madrid-New York Connection, showcases his lifelong spirit of innovation.
Giants of Jazz Concert https://www.sopacnow.org/events/giants-of-jazz-2025/
New Album La Fleur de Cayenne, https://open.spotify.com/album/43hycGOSuAa3LkQwDBHelv?si=JnZGFm5-R22vt2TWx6k3vg
Jay Sweet's Cover Article on Paquito D'Rivera https://njjs.org/magazine/