Paquito D'Rivera, born in Havana in 1948, is a virtuoso saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer renowned for his fusion of Latin jazz and classical music. A child prodigy, he performed with the National Theater Orchestra at age 10 and later co-founded the influential Cuban ensemble Irakere, blending jazz, rock, and traditional Cuban sounds. After seeking asylum in the U.S. in 1980, D'Rivera's illustrious career has earned him multiple Grammy Awards, including for "Tropicana Nights" and "Panamericana Suite." His dynamic performances and compositions continue to captivate audiences worldwide. ([arts.gov](https://www.arts.gov/honors/jazz/paquito-drivera?utm_source=openai))