Paquito D'Rivera, Jon Faddis, Giovanni Hidalgo, Dave Samuels, and FIU Jazz Big Band

The musical collaboration between bebop innovator Dizzy Gillespie -- who became "the godfather of Latin jazz in the U.S." -- and the great Cuban conguero Chano Pozo will be celebrated on this program that showcases the groundbreaking body of work that these legendary artists created, pushing the boundaries to bring Afro-Cuban jazz into the jazz mainstream. The newly formed Cubop sound fused African-based rhythms with the post-modernist bebop, and together Gillespie and Pozo produced some of the most enduring Afro-Cuban jazz standards, such as the hit songs "Manteca," "Tin Tin Deo," and "Cubana Be, Cubana Bop." Despite a short stint as percussionist in Gillespie's band, Pozo's influence was reflected in the bandleader's playing and compositions for decades.

The renowned Cuban multi-instrumentalist and jazz ambassador Paquito D'rivera will headline the concert, joined by Dizzy Gillespie protégé and trumpeter extraordinaire Jon Faddis. Also sharing the bill is the esteemed percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo – a former member of Gillespie's United Nations Orchestra - vibraphone virtuoso Dave Samuels, and the FIU Jazz Big Band!


Other exciting shows:
Diana Krall
Generation Next: Piano
Esperanza Spalding