On my last trip to NYC for a few months, I did it up right with a 4 day adventure. Arriving on Tuesday, I settled in at the Sohotel on Broome/Bowery and then walked up to Cooper Square for a Starbucks and to wait for a friend getting out of work.
After dinner at Grotta Azzurra in Little Italy, I headed uptown on the subway to Columbus Circle, and walked across the street to Jazz At Lincoln Center, home of Dizzy's Coca Cola, to see Tango Jazz featuring Cuban alto/soprano saxophonist and clarinetist Paquito D' Rivera. Piquito learned music at the age of 5 from his father, a Cuban conductor and well-known classical saxophonist. Paquito performed with the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra at a young age and, at age seven, was the youngest musician to endorse a musical instrument for the Selmer Company. In 1981, while on tour in Spain, Paquito sought asylum and left his homeland, wife, and child behind in search of a better life.
Paquito is now an Artist in Residence at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
Joining Mr. D' Rivera were Pablo Aslan - bass, Emilio Solla - piano, David Silliman - drums, Michael Zisman - bandoneon, Michael Mossman - trumpet/trombone, and Nick Danielson - violin.
The After Hours set was by the Alex Brown Band. Alex is also a pianist with Paquito D' Rivera.
