 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DougR
Date: 2013-04-04 14:36
I just had the good fortune to catch Paquito D'Rivera in performance with students at Juilliard, where he'd been doing a 3-day artist residence. He performed with two different student ensembles, played some blazing clarinet and alto (maybe 70% clarinet and 30% alto), and led the students with a combination of authority, generosity and such a big twinkle in the eye that even if he'd been half the musician he is, the concert would have been terrific fun. The students were pretty much gig-ready in the NY market as far as I could tell, nice command of the instruments and well developed personalities, and while there was a little discomfort and lumpiness in the rhythm sections at times with the Latin rhythms (which included danzon, choro, samba, etc.), the playing was excellent throughout. Paquito, of course, is a virtuoso, with lots of showboat licks and impressive altissimo on both horns, as well as a long history in jazz (which informed his introductions to the evening and to the tunes), but the focus was on the students and the ensembles, with plenty of solo space for everyone, and Paquito navigated the groups through their sets with enthusiasm, spontaneity, and joy.
After this evening, I'd say if you have a chance to catch Paquito in concert, don't let the moment slip by.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2013-04-04 14:53
He has been on my list of guys to see for some time. I hope to catch him soon, he is one heck of a good musician.
The first I ever heard him was years ago on a recording with one of David Amram's ensembles shortly after Rivera came to the US. I heard a blazing alto solo and immediately thought -who is this guy?!
Post Edited (2013-04-04 17:05)
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Author: William
Date: 2013-04-04 18:51
And he is a nice, approachable guy. After a concert here in our UW student union theatre--accousitic with the Assad brothers guitar due--he was standing by the stage entrance ready to talk with anyone who walked bye. It was a long, demanding concert, yet, there he was willing to talk to his fans. What a guy........
You may all find this amusing, but the concert was billed as, "THE ASSAD BROTHERS, GUITAR DUO".....(with Paquito D'Rivera, clarinet) As it turned out, the event was all Paquito with the brothers as accompment. A truely remarkable evening of great clarinet music.
Post Edited (2013-04-05 15:11)
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Author: jack
Date: 2013-04-06 06:44
There is everything to like about Paquito. I have met him very casually at a couple of Clarinet Fests, including the one when he and Paulo Sergio Santos played a never to be forgotten medley of Pixinghuina songs in Norman, OK.
So a couple of years ago my wife and I were at Catalina's in Hollywood to dig his engagement. He noticed me when I chimed in with "Salt Peanuts, Salt Peanuts", at the appropriate moment. So at the break, instead of going backstage or whatever, he came to our table with his clarinet, no less. We chatted and he played a bit for us at our table. Just a great, memorable experience. Thank you again Paquito.
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Author: DougR
Date: 2013-04-06 14:18
Yeah, what Jack said. Paquito acts like he's the luckiest guy in the world to be able to do what he does, and can hardly wait to show you. YOU. Terrific person.
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