Cuban-born drummer Dafnis Prieto returns to Celebrity Series with his dynamic Sí o Sí Quartet. Prieto—a Grammy Award winner and MacArthur Fellow—is known for blending Cuban percussion instrumentation, rhythms, and textures with the classic jazz drum kit, providing a distinctive pulse for the foursome’s “ecstatic and intelligent” (AllAboutJazz) contemporary post-bop explorations.

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Dafnis Prieto’s Sí o Sí Quartet

Berklee College of Music

“Limitless” pianist David Virelles (DownBeat) and percussionist Dafnis Prieto—“one of the most multidimensional artists working today” (JazzTimes)—come together with an all-star ensemble in a program that celebrates the wide-ranging influence of Cuban rhythms across multiple genres of music, curated in collaboration with the singular Tania León. In his new commission, Virelles explores pulses, cycles, and tonalities inspired by the rhythmic language and counterpoint of the three ritual batá drums. Also featured is a piece by Virelles’s mentor, NEA Jazz Master Henry Threadgill, and music by composer and turntablist Val-Inc. The program opens with León’s propulsive duo for piano and percussion, A la par.

David Virelles Nosotros Ensemble featuring Dafnis Prieto

Carnegie Hall

Harlem Stage returns with its beloved music series, Uptown Nights, to present a dynamic set of artists across a wide range of genres throughout the anniversary year. From September to December 2023, Harlem Stage launches the Uptown Nights Latin Music Series, an exciting lineup that celebrates music from the Latin diaspora.

Uptown Nights Latin Music Series: Dafnis Prieto Featuring Luciana Souza 'cantar'

Harlem Stage

In this collaboration of Grammy winners, Dafnis Prieto unites with Brazilian-born singer Luciana Souza for a magical show of songs written in Spanish, Portuguese, and English by Dafnis and Luciana. Cuban-born Dafnis is one of the leading percussionists in the modern Afro-Cuban tradition — and in all of jazz, for that matter! — and his compositions explore the complex rhythmic layers of the music while remaining soothingly accessible. Luciana has earned her Grammy awards for her own music showing her Brazilian roots, and whose voice just keeps getting more agile and beautiful with time. Dafnis and Luciana are joined by some heavy hitters, including woodwind genius Peter Apfelbaum, bassist Matt Brewer, with a special appearance by vocalist and pianist Martin Bejerano

Dafnis Prieto

Events

Past events

Jan 24, 2025

Dafnis Prieto’s Sí o Sí Quartet · Celebrity Series of Boston

May 21, 2024

David Virelles Nosotros Ensemble featuring Dafnis Prieto · Carnegie Hall

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