A sort of tropical Charlie Parker, Cuban saxophonist and clarinettist Paquito d'Rivera has notched up 70 albums and won countless awards. Virtuoso and living legend of Latin jazz, this year he celebrates his 70th birthday with an international tour, accompanied by the pianist Pepe Rivero's quartet.
After a classical training at the Havana Conservatory, Paquito D'Rivera founded Irakere in 1973, with pianist Chucho Valdés and seven other musicians.
This explosive combination of jazz, rock, Cuban classical and traditional music revolutionised the island's music scene, creating a sensation at major jazz festivals around the world. He has also collaborated with Dizzy Gillespie and Yo-Yo Ma.
With thirty solo albums and more than sixty years on the stage to his credit, Paquito D'Rivera is vigorously pursuing his activities around the world.