Composer

Multi-Grammy Award winner and critically acclaimed musician Paquito D’Rivera joins audience favorite Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra for an evening of sizzling Latin jazz. Born in Cuba, D’Rivera is “a marvelous soloist in Latin—and mainstream—jazz contexts” (JazzTimes), with rich skills on clarinet, saxophone, and in composition, all rooted in a background of classical and traditional Cuban music. With more than 30 solo albums, a National Medal of the Arts, and National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award, D’Rivera is celebrated both for his artistry in Latin jazz and his achievements as a classical composer. Founder, artistic director, and virtuoso saxophonist Jim Carroll leads the orchestra, comprising some of the area’s finest musicians.

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Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra with Paquito D’Rivera

Hylton Performing Arts Center

The Imani Winds have led both a revolution and an evolution of the wind quintet through their dynamic playing, adventurous programming, imaginative collaborations, and engagement endeavors, which inspire audiences of all ages and backgrounds. This collaboration features composer and percussionist Andy Akiho, a trailblazing Pulitzer Prize finalist and five-time Grammy-nominated composer whose bold works unravel intricate and unexpected patterns while surpassing preconceived boundaries of Western classical music.

Performance Imani Winds & Andy Akiho, steel drum The BeLonging Project

University of Michigan

Celebrating 70 years of amazing music, woodwind genius, Latin Jazz icon, and 2005 NEA Jazz Master Paquito D’Rivera settles in for two nights on the Miner stage with his terrific quintet.

Paquito D'Rivera Quintet

SFJAZZ Center

Philharmonic Hour Chamber Concert

Görreshaus

2024 GRAMMY winner Imani Winds joins forces with Pulitzer Prize finalist Andy Akiho for an innovative program featuring works by D’Rivera, Villa-Lobos and Akiho. Hailed as “strikingly virtuosic, immaculately tight, [and] stylistically agile” (Boston Musical Intelligencer), Imani Winds brings exceptional artistry to this compelling collaboration.

Imani Winds & Andy Akiho, steel pan

Rockport Music-Shalin Liu Performance Center

### Event Description: Michelle Cann & Imani Winds - Curtis Institute of Music

**Date and Time:** April 23, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.  
**Location:** Curtis Institute of Music, Field Concert Hall

Join us for an extraordinary evening of music as the Curtis Institute of Music presents a special concert featuring the acclaimed pianist Michelle Cann and the 2024 GRAMMY-winning ensemble, Imani Winds. This event is part of the Curtis 100 centennial celebration, promising a night of breathtaking performances and unparalleled artistry.

**Artists:**
- **Michelle Cann, Piano:** Lauded as "exquisite" by the Philadelphia Inquirer and a "pianist of sterling artistry" by Gramophone, Michelle Cann is one of the most sought-after pianists of her generation. She holds the Eleanor Sokoloff Chair in Piano Studies at Curtis and has performed with prominent orchestras such as the Atlanta and Cincinnati symphony orchestras, The Cleveland Orchestra, and The Philadelphia Orchestra.
- **Imani Winds, Wind Quintet:** Celebrating over a quarter-century of music-making, Imani Winds is known for their dynamic playing and adventurous programming. The ensemble includes Brandon Patrick George (flute), Toyin Spellman-Diaz (oboe), Mark Dover (clarinet), Kevin Newton (horn), and Monica Ellis (bassoon).

**Program:**
- **PAQUITO D'RIVERA:** A Little Cuban Waltz
- **VIET CUONG ’19:** Sextet for Wind Quintet and Piano
- **POULENC:** Trio for oboe, bassoon, and piano
- **VALERIE COLEMAN:** Portraits of Langston for flute, clarinet, piano & narrator
- **POULENC:** Sextet for Piano and Winds (Philadelphia premiere)

**Tickets:**  
Subscribe now to the 2024-25 season to get the best seats at the best prices. Don't miss this opportunity to witness music-making at its highest level and the energy and excitement of extraordinary young talent.

**Special Thanks:**  
This event is made possible through the support of Derek and Sissela Bok, the Mary Louise Curtis Bok Foundation, Deborah M. Fretz, Charles C. Freyer and Judith Durkin Freyer, Lisa and Gie Liem, Mark and Robin Rubenstein, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Curtis Institute of Music also received funding from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Experience an unforgettable night of music with Michelle Cann and Imani Winds at the Curtis Institute of Music. Secure your tickets now and be part of this centennial celebration!

Michelle Cann & Imani Winds

Curtis Institute of Music

NEA Jazz Master, reedist Paquito D’Rivera brings the electric fusion of Havana to life with unparalleled improvisation, syncopated harmonies, and virtuosic orchestration. Special guests include Chucho Valdés, Edmar Castañeda, Roberta Gambarini, Yotam Silberstein, Héctor del Curto, Roberto Vizcaino, Victor Provost, and the Young People’s Chorus of New York City.

Paquito D’rivera: Celebrating 70+ Years In Music

Lincoln Center

NEA Jazz Master, composer, and reedist Paquito D’Rivera brings to life the eclectic fusion of his extensive travels with unparalleled improvisations, multinational rhythms, and original orchestrations. D’Rivera has won a combined 16 Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards (5 Grammy and 11 Latin Grammys). He is celebrated both for his artistry in Latin jazz and his achievements as a classical composer.

Paquito D’Rivera Quintet

Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center

Join us for an evening of jazz-infused chamber music at Yurong "Ria" Yang's last doctoral dissertation recital! The program features Paquito D’Rivera’s The Cape Cod Files, a lively fusion of classical and Latin jazz influences, and Alec Wilder’s Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, known for its rich harmonic language and lyricism. The recital also highlights the virtuosic brilliance of Nikolai Kapustin, with his dynamic Trio for Piano, Cello and Flute and the exhilarating Piano Concerto No. 2. We warmly invite you to share in this special celebration of jazz and classical fusion!

Student Degree Recital: Yurong "Ria" Yang D.M.A. collaborative piano recital

The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

Experience an extraordinary evening of chamber music as two iconic ensembles, Imani Winds and Boston Brass, unite for a performance at the majestic Rockefeller Memorial Chapel. Renowned for their virtuosity and versatility, these powerhouse wind ensembles are celebrated champions of new music. Their collaborative program promises a rich tapestry of sound, featuring compositions by multi-GRAMMY winning musician and composer Arturo Sandoval, alongside works by Khachaturian, J.S. Bach, de Falla, Piazzolla, and contemporary masters D’Rivera and Simon. This unique concert offers a rare opportunity to witness the fusion of two distinct musical forces, creating a super band that brings to life the intricate and dynamic world of chamber music.

Imani Winds & Boston Brass

Rockefeller Memorial Chapel

The 2024 Grammy Award-winning Imani Winds are celebrating over a quarter century of music making, having led both a revolution and evolution of the wind quintet through their dynamic playing, adventurous programming, imaginative collaborations and outreach endeavors that have inspired audiences of all ages and backgrounds. The recipient of the 2022 Sphinx Medal of Excellence, Michelle Cann has become one of the most sought-after pianists of her generation, lauded as “exquisite” by The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Imani Winds; Michelle Cann, piano

Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

Join us for a celebration of Latin American music and culture including lobby installations by local artists. The dynamic concert program features traditional music with contemporary works honoring the rich heritage of this ancient holiday. The event is curated by longtime collaborator Martha Rodríguez-Salazar.

Día De Los Muertos

Davies Symphony Hall

Join the Toot! Ensemble for a fun family concert that’s perfect 7 to 11-year-olds and their families.

Travel around the world with music from all over the globe in a performance filled with warmth, excitement, and magic.

In this thrilling 40-minute family concert, five playful musicians set off on an unforgettable journey through music and make-believe, with a little help from a magical dressing-up box!

Toot! A Concert for Families

The Stoller Hall

Shepherd School woodwind students perform captivating chamber music.

Chamber Music for Winds

Alice Pratt Brown Hall

Join us for an enchanting afternoon at the Opening Matinee of the Skaneateles Festival, marking the commencement of our 45th Season. This special event is scheduled for July 31, 2024, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church, located at 97 East Genesee St, Skaneateles, NY 13152.

This year's Opening Matinee, titled "Strings of Summer," features a stellar lineup of musicians, including violinist Joe Genualdi, cellist Steven Doane, and harpist Bridget Kibbey. Together, they will weave a tapestry of sound, performing a program that spans the breadth of classical music. The repertoire includes Saint-Saëns' Fantasy for Violin and Harp, Op. 124, Fauré's Serenade, Op. 98, and Debussy's Arabesque No. 1, among other masterpieces.

The venue, the First Presbyterian Church, offers not only a space with outstanding acoustics but also a comfortable and inviting atmosphere with air-conditioned interiors and cushioned church pews. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, with doors opening at 12:30 pm to welcome guests.

Tickets are available for purchase online, by phone at 315-685-7418, in person at the Skaneateles Festival Office, or at the door on the day of the concert, subject to availability. We encourage early purchase to ensure your seat at this not-to-be-missed event.

Prepare to be moved by the power of live music in a setting that enhances the experience, making it truly unforgettable. We look forward to welcoming you to the Opening Matinee of the Skaneateles Festival and sharing the joy and beauty of classical music together.

Opening Matinee: Strings of Summer

First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles

Music that connects us, how thoughts, experiences, and feelings bring us together. This “sacred and profane” recital opens with a transcendent solo work and slowly progresses from spirit to human through fantasy, farce, and passion. This is perfect for new listeners and seasoned concertgoers.

Fresh Tradition: Sacred and Profane

All Saints' Episcopal Church

Please join us for this one-hour concert celebrating the diverse backgrounds of these living composers that make up our American landscape.

American Dreams Pop-Up Concert at the Harlem Rose Garden

Sugar Hill Hope Garden

Harlem Rose Garden

Groove along to this rhythmic and spirited program that explores how the Orchestra’s wind players pay homage to theatre, jazz, and living in the South.

Summer Winds

The Knobloch Family Farmhouse

Composers (from top, left to right): Florence Price, Rhiannon Giddens, Paquito D’RIvera, Frederick Tillis, Gabriela Lena Frank, Jessie Montgomery.

American Dreams At Cast

Center for Advocacy, Support & Transformation

Experience the enchanting melodies of the American Symphony Orchestra's Woodwind Quintet at the serene Bryant Park Upper Terrace. This special event, scheduled for May 20 & 21, 2024, at 5:30 PM, is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of American music, featuring compositions by renowned composers such as William Grant Still, Amy Beach, John Philip Sousa, and more.

The program includes an array of pieces that celebrate the diverse musical heritage of the Americas, from folk tunes to the intricate rhythms of jazz. Highlights include Still's evocative "Miniatures," Schuller's dynamic "Suite for Woodwind Quintet," Beach's pastoral "Op. 151," D’Rivera's vibrant "Aires Tropicales," and Sousa's iconic "The Liberty Bell March," all brought to life by the talented ASO musicians: Diva Goodfriend-Koven (flute), Erin Gustafson (oboe), David Gould (clarinet), David Smith (French horn), and Gilbert Dejean (bassoon).

This performance is part of a free chamber music series in partnership with Bryant Park, offering music lovers a chance to enjoy live music in a picturesque setting. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, providing a perfect after-work respite or a leisurely evening under the stars.

Don't miss this celebration of American music, supported by the New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. Join us at Bryant Park for an unforgettable musical journey through the heart of America's rich musical landscape.

Woodwind Quintet at Bryant Park Upper Terrace

Bryant Park

Please note that this concert was originally intended to take place outdoors. However, because of the weather forecast for Saturday, we will move this concert indoors. There is limited seating. Seating will be available on a first-come, first served basis. Doors open at 2:30 PM.

American Dreams Pop-up Concert #1

Morris-Jumel Mansion

Percussion lovers – do not miss this concert! We’ve got Trevino’s Catching Shadows and Burkali’s TraInspOrt: Trio for Solo Bassoon and Percussion and more!

Chamber Music Series: De Rivera

First Presbyterian Church-Tulsa

No other quintet has forged such a unique and revolutionary path through the chamber music landscape as the Imani Winds. The ensemble embraces traditional chamber music repertoire while remaining devoutly committed to promoting diversity in the arts. Celebrating over two decades of music making, Imani Winds is recognized for its dynamic playing, adventurous programming, outreach endeavors, and efforts to commission works from new voices that reflect historical events and today’s world. The program features the diversity of American composers and includes a Kennedy Center co-commission by Shawn Okpebholo.

Imani Winds

Kennedy Center

On the two American continents, old musical cultures were mixed and new ones emerged.

Las Americas

Musikhuset Esbjerg

Aloha kākou! SFCM students Justin Park and Meli Everson invite you to a student-led Maui Benefit Concert: an evening where the Bay Community shows support for Lahaina following the Maui wildfires. The concert's theme is Pūpūkahi i holomua - United we move forward. We will be raising funds for the Hawaii Community Foundation - Maui Strong Fund, and are excited to share music and cultures from around the world to express support and compassion during these times.

SFCM Maui Benefit Concert

Bowes Center

América Viva! at the III Panamerican Benefit Gala-Show.

Featuring the New Land Dance Company, the América Viva Band and the Miami Children's Chorus.

América Viva! With Willy Chirino

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts

For over two decades, the twice Grammy nominated Imani Winds has led both a revolution and evolution of the wind quintet through their dynamic playing, adventurous programming, imaginative collaborations, and outreach endeavors that have inspired audiences of all ages and backgrounds. We are thrilled to officially welcome them to Tippet Rise for their concert debut, having had the privilege of collaborating with them on recording and performance film projects over the past few years. In this special outdoor performance at the Domo by Ensamble Studio, members Brandon Patrick George (flute), Toyin Spellman-Diaz (oboe), Kevin Newton (horn), Mark Dover (clarinet), and Monica Ellis (bassoon) will perform their program titled Black and Brown, which celebrates composers of color including Jeff Scott, Paquito D’Rivera, and Wayne Shorter. The program also features works written for Imani Winds: Reena Esmail’s The Light is the Same, commissioned by The Lied Center of Kansas and premiered in 2017, and Julio Medaglia’s Belle Epoque en Sud-America, commissioned by the La Jolla Music Society, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Da Camera of Houston, and the Library of Congress, which premiered in 2006.

Tippet Rise Art Center

The right collaborative piano performance can take a great piece to another level. In this event, brilliant pianists partner with other musicians to bring classical melonies, harmonies, and ryhthms together in a breathtaking performance.

Collaborative Piano Showcase

Music Academy of the West

Dalí Quartet & Ricardo Morales—The Dalí Quartet makes its Bravo! Vail debut, performing works by Latin American and Classical composers in a program featuring The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Principal Clarinet Ricardo Morales.  

Dalí Quartet

Vilar Performing Arts Center

Musicians from Chineke! return to the Pittville Pump Room. Journeying across broad musical terrain, they take you from Ligeti’s lively and irreverent bagatelles and Ravel’s expansive harmonies to the American soundworlds of William Grant Still and Valerie Coleman.

Cheltenham Festival: Chineke! Wind Quintet

The Chineke! Wind Quintet comprises players of the Chineke! Orchestra and the ensemble is delighted to bring a varied programme of wind repertoire to the Shaldon Festival. Highlights include the music of African-American composers William Grant Still (Summerland, 1935) and Valerie Coleman (Red Clay & Mississippi Delta, 2016). Both works speak to the Black experience in the American South, and are presented alongside music from Gyorgy Ligeti, Paul Hindemith, Maurice Ravel.

Shaldon Festival: Chineke! Wind Quintet

All funds raised support Equity Scholarships at Longy, which open the door for musicians who are not traditionally represented in conservatory education. Without your generosity, these students would not be able to attend Longy.

BLOOM: An Evening with Paquito D’Rivera | Longy’s 2023 Gala Benefit Concert

Acclaimed for their “bristling energy” and “febrile flair and panache” (Chicago Classical Review), the Grammy-nominated Imani Winds has carved out a distinct presence in the classical music world with its dynamic playing and culturally poignant programming. Featuring works by Cuban, Brazilian, Argentine, and Uruguayan-American composers, the group’s program reflects its deep commitment to enriching the traditional wind quintet repertoire.

American Philosophical Society

Wind Division Recital

560 Music Center

Boston Conservatory at Berklee woodwind faculty members Sarah Brady (flute), Robert Sheena (English horn), Jan Halloran (clarinet), Eli Epstein (horn), and Margaret Phillips (bassoon) explore the seasons through the music of Bach, Barber, D'Rivera, and Higdon in this concert of seasonal woodwind quintets that takes audience members on a climatic journey.

Artistry in Action: Faculty Woodwind Quintet—The Seasons

Boston Conservatory at Berklee

Jazz-Latin-Classical Fusion

Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center

About</a>	<div>	<div>	From the terror of its opening brass fanfare through to the wild delirium of its ending, Piotr Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony takes us on a journey of unstoppable drama, filled with aching melodies, thundering climaxes and the psychological torments of a hero struggling with implacable fate. Trumpeter Pacho Flores stars in the U.S. premiere of a new concerto by Paquito D'Rivera, a jazzy tribute to the Venezuelan people by the Cuban-born composer. And the concert opens with an enchanting orchestral firework by the young California-based composer Andrew Norman.

Payare Leads TCHAIKOVSKY

San Diego Civic Theatre

Venezuelan conductor Rafael Payare’s profound musicianship, technical brilliance and charismatic presence on the podium has elevated him as one of the most sought-after young conductors, working regularly with the world’s leading orchestras. Payare currently serves as music director designate of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. Prior to that, Payare was Principal Conductor and Music Director of the Ulster Orchestra from 2014-19 with whom he appeared twice at the BBC Proms in 2016 and 2019. The Orchestra recently named him Conductor Laureate in recognition of his vast artistic contribution to the Orchestra and City of Belfast during his five year tenure.  Francisco “Pacho” Flores, principal trumpet of the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra and founding member of the Simón Bolívar Brass Quintet, has been achieving worldwide recognition as a soloist, captivating audiences with his energy and the bell-like beauty of his tone. His playing integrates jazz and Latin American influences with his classical training. In 2005 he earned a conservatory diploma with a unanimously awarded Prix de Virtuosité. He has won four international competitions, the most prestigious of all: the Maurice André Competition in 2006.  In the 100-plus years since its inception, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra has become one of the most significant orchestras in the United States and was designated a Tier 1 Orchestra by the League of American Orchestras in 2010. Committed to providing musical experiences of superior quality for the greater San Diego community and beyond, the orchestra is known for their rich mixture of innovative and educational programming designed to appeal to all ages and cultures.

San Diego Symphony

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

From the terror of its opening brass fanfare through to the wild delirium of its ending, Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony takes us on a journey of unstoppable drama, filled with aching melodies, thundering climaxes and the psychological torments of a hero struggling with implacable fate. 
Trumpeter Pacho Flores—first prize winner of the Maurice André International Trumpet Competition—stars in the U.S. premiere of a new concerto by Paquito D'Rivera, a jazzy tribute to the Venezuelan people by the Cuban-born composer written for Flores. Also on the program is an enchanting orchestral firework by the young California-based composer Andrew Norman.

San Diego Symphony: Trumpets & Tchaikovsky

Renowned trumpeter Pacho Flores joins Venezuelan maestro Rafael Payare and the San Diego Symphony for a unique program featuring the U.S. premiere of D'Rivera's Concerto venezolano for Trumpet and Orchestra.

San Diego Symphony with Pacho Flores

Mexico’s leading orchestra, the Sinfónica de Minería, makes its Symphony Center debut led by Carlos Miguel Prieto, a conductor praised for his “extraordinary ferocity and drive” (The Guardian). Revueltas’ vibrant portrait of Mexico’s pre-Columbian heritage shares a program with concertos by Haydn and Paquito D’Rivera, performed by the esteemed Venezuelan trumpeter Pacho Flores.

Sinfónica de Minería

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

The GRAMMY-nominated Imani Winds has carved out a distinct presence in the classical music world with their dynamic playing and culturally poignant programming. Their PCMS return opens with Red Clay & Mississippi Delta, a virtuosic work by the group’s original flutist, Valerie Coleman, that merges classical technique and orchestration with the blues dialect and charm of the south. Globe-spanning works by Cuban, Finnish, Palestinian-American, and Turkish composers follow, reflecting the ensemble’s deep commitment to enriching the traditional wind quintet repertoire.

Composer

Paquito D'Rivera

Events

Upcoming events

Oct 2, 2024 - Apr 14, 2026

Chamber Music for Winds · The Shepherd School of Music

Jan 18, 2026

Sinfónica de Minería · Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Apr 7, 2026

Imani Winds · Philadelphia Chamber Music Society

Past events

Nov 1, 2025

Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra with Paquito D’Rivera · Hylton Performing Arts Center

Oct 26, 2025

Performance Imani Winds & Andy Akiho, steel drum The BeLonging Project · University Musical Society

About

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