Fifty-two and Counting

On November 10, 2005, Cuban-born clarinet and saxophone virtuoso Paquito D’Rivera stood where only a few musicians before him have been: the Oval Office. The eight-time Grammy winner, who, with the exception of Wynton Marsalis, is the only musician to have won awards in both the jazz and classical music categories, had been selected to receive the National Medal of Arts—our nation’s highest honor for artistic excellence.

As a child prodigy in Cuba, D’Rivera performed with the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra. As a teenager, he cofounded the Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna and the innovative music group Irakere, whose stunning explorations of jazz, classical, and traditional Cuban sounds thrilled audiences.

In 1981, D’Rivera sought political asylum in the United States. The move presented him with many music-making opportunities, and after releasing several recordings that showcased his talents, he found himself collaborating with jazz greats such as Eddie Gomez, Randy Brecker, and James Moody. Along with his Grammys and more than thirty solo albums, D’Rivera also has a Lifetime Achievement Award from Carnegie Hall and a Doctorate Honoris Causa in Music from the Berklee College of Music.

This year, D’Rivera celebrates fifty-two years on the stage, and the Twin Cities is lucky to be part of the festivities. “It’s the first time in twenty-five years he’s been in the Twin Cities,” says Lowell Pickett, whose club, the Dakota, hosts the musician. “D’Rivera’s a musical genius. He’s fiery and brilliant.” Nov. 27–28. 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-332-1010