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Nine-time Grammy winner Paquito D'Rivera performs on campus

by Tonya Durlach

Oct. 13, 2011 | WMU News

Photo of Paquito D'Rivera.
Paquito D'Rivera

KALAMAZOO--Nine-time Grammy winner Paquito D'Rivera will perform with Western Michigan University's award-winning University Jazz Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, in Miller Auditorium.

Part of the new "Jazz Masters at Miller" series, the concert also will feature a special appearance by WMU's world-renowned vocal jazz ensemble, Gold Company.

A multi-talented clarinetist, alto saxophonist, composer and bandleader, D'Rivera is the only artist to have won Grammies in both the Classical and Latin Jazz categories. His numerous recordings include more than 30 solo albums, and in addition to his performing career as an instrumentalist, he has rapidly gained a reputation as an accomplished composer.

D'Rivera is the author of two books: "My Sax Life" and "Oh, La Habana." He is the recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award 2005 and the National Medal of the Arts 2005, as well as the Living Jazz Legend Award from the Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C., in 2007. Learn more at paquitodrivera.com.

The University Jazz Orchestra is directed by Dr. Scott Cowan, WMU assistant professor of music, and Gold Company is directed by Dr. Steve Zegree, WMU's Bobby McFerrin Professor of Jazz. "Jazz Masters at Miller" is a collaboration between Miller Auditorium and the WMU School of Music to expose West Michigan to world-class jazz while providing talented instrumental and vocal students a chance to work with well-known artists in the field.

Tickets

"Jazz Masters at Miller" with special guest Paquito D'Rivera is part of Miller Auditorium's Lake Michigan Mailers Series and is welcomed by Meijer. Tickets are on sale now for $33. They can be purchased online at millerauditorium.com, by calling (269) 387-2300 or (800) 228-9858, or in person at the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office.

A 15 percent discount is available to all WMU faculty and staff, and a 50 percent discount is available to WMU students. Discounted tickets must be purchased by phone or in person, and a valid Bronco Card is required at the time of pickup. Group discounts are available at (269) 387-2312.

For more information, contact Bethany Gauthier at bethany.gauthier@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2245.