Francisco de Jesús Rivera Figueras, popularly known as Paquito D’Rivera, a prominent Cuban jazz musician, arranger, and composer, was born on June 4, 1948, in the municipality of Marianao, Havana. He is a descendant of saxophonist and orchestra conductor Tito D’Rivera. He began his musical studies at just five years old. At six, he performed before the public with the Cosmopolita Orchestra’s saxophone quintet and signed a contract with Selmer, a musical instrument manufacturer.

By then, he already knew how to play the soprano saxophone, and later learned to play the alto saxophone with the help of a book. He performed in 1958 at the National Theater of Havana (Paseo and 39th Street, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana). He enrolled at the Havana Conservatory (Rastro No. 1 and Espada, Centro Habana, Havana) two years later. There, he specialized in clarinet and took classes in composition and harmony, among other subjects.

Paquito D’Rivera made his solo debut in 1965 with the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra. He also founded the Cuban Modern Music Orchestra that same year, alongside Chucho Valdés. He served as its conductor for a period of two years, a role he combined with his work in various groups, such as the National Orchestra and the Cuban Army Band.

Some time later, he founded the group Irakere, which consisted of eight musicians. This group created a style or a new way of making music, through the fusion of jazz, rock, traditional Cuban music, and classical music. With this group, Paquito performed at the Newport and Montreux festivals in 1978, and also toured North America and Europe. In 1979, he won a Grammy Award for Best Latin Recording; and was nominated again in 1980.

A year later, during a tour of Spain, he requested asylum at the American embassy and established his residence in the United States. He soon established his name in the highest echelons of music, a feat aided by his first two solo albums. During that time, he also appeared on CBS’s Sunday Morning program.

In 1988, he founded the United Nations Orchestra with Dizzy Gillespie, which consisted of fifteen members. That same year, he performed as a soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra. He composed music for groups such as the Gerald Danovich Saxophone Quartet and the Aspen Wind Quintet.

He also founded other projects such as the Paquito D’Rivera Big Band and the Paquito D’Rivera Quintet. He has worked with various groups, including the National Symphony Orchestra.

In 2000, his piece, Panamericana Suite, premiered at New York’s Lincoln Center. Two years later, the Rotterdam Philharmonic premiered Gran Danzón, a work also co-authored by him, at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington.

Throughout his musical career, Paquito D’Rivera has shared the stage with important figures and groups in the world of international music, including Arturo Sandoval, Claudio Roditi, Michel Camilo, Bebo Valdés, Ying Quartet, Turtle Island String Quartet, cellist Mark Summe, pianist Alon Yavnai, and Yo-Yo Ma.

He has published the book, “My Life Sax,” and the novel “Oh! Havana.” He is a composer of both jazz and classical music; his works are published exclusively by Boosey and Hawkes. His works include “Gran Danzón,” “Panamericana Suite,” and “Rivers.”

He is in charge of directing each day of the El Tambo International Jazz Festival, held in Uruguay.

Francisco de Jesús Rivera Figueras has received numerous awards for his outstanding musical work, including seven Grammy Awards, an honorary doctorate in music from the Berklee College of Music, and the U.S. National Medal of Arts.

Discography: Irakere (1978-79); Havana Jam (1979); Paquito D’Rivera, Blowin (1981); Mariel (1982); The Young Lions (1983); Live At The Keystone Korner (1983); Why Not! (1984); Manhattan Burn (1987); Celebration (1988); Tico Tico (1989); Return To Ipanema (1989); Live At Birdland (1990); Reunion/Paquito D’Rivera Featuring Arturo Sandoval (1991); Who’s Smokin’?! (1992); Paquito D’Rivera Presents 40 Years Of Cuban Jam Session (1993); Paquito D’Rivera & The United Nation Orchestra (1994); Achango’s Dance (Caribbean Jazz Project) (1995); Messidor’s Finest Volume 1 Paquito D’Rivera (1996); The Caribbean Jazz Project, Artists: Paquito D’Rivera/Dave Samuels/Andy Narell (1995); Portraits Of Cuba Paquito D’Rivera (1996); Paquito D’Rivera Chamber Music From The South (1997); Caribbean Jazz Project Island Stories/Paquito D’Rivera/Dave Samuels/Andy Narell (1997); Paquito D’Rivera & The United Nation Orchestra Live At Mcg (1997); 100 Years Of Latin Love Songs (1998); Paquito D’Rivera Tropicana Nights/A Paradise Under the Stars of Cuba (1999); Paquito D’Rivera Quintet Live At The Blue Note (2000); Paquito D’Rivera & The Wdr Band/Big Band Time (2002); The Soldier’s Story (L’ Histoire Du Soldat) (2002); Paquito D’Rivera/The Clarinetist (2002); The Best of Paquito D’Rivera, Legacy (2002); Sebastian Schunke/Paquito D´Rivera – Back in New York (2008); Paquito D’Rivera/Chano Domínguez – Quartier Latin (2009).