Paquito D'Rivera's "Panamericana Suite" (MCG Jazz)

Few jazz artists have been as musically omnivorous—and dazzlingly accomplished—as the Cuban-born alto saxophone and clarinet virtuoso Paquito D'Rivera. Equally at home performing bebop, tango, and classical as well as Afro-Cuban styles, D'Rivera displays his mastery of many genres on his new CD, Panamericana Suite.

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.

“I am an eclectic person," D'Rivera says. “I grew up the son of a classical saxophonist who loved jazz. He loved to put on Heifetz and Mario Lanza, and then listen to Benny Goodman and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Growing up in Havana, Latin American music was in the air."

The new CD boasts an all-star international cast, with Pedro Martinez (batas, timbales, vocals), Pernell Saturnino (percussion), Oscar Stagnaro (bass), and Mark Walker (bass) comprising the supple rhythm section.

Also featured in the Panamericana Orchestra are pianist Alon Yavnai; Dana Leong on trombone and cello; Hector del Curto, bandoneon; Andy Narell on steel pans; Dave Samuels, vibraphone and marimba; trumpeter Diego Urcola; the Colombian harpist Edmar Castaneda; and the Puerto Rican lyric soprano Brenda Feliciano.

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