WITS END - JO LEE Magazine

CAPRICCIO
By
Danilo Navas
Nicaragua – Central America
Danilo Navas is a Master of the history and diversity of World Music. The
collecting and writing about its richness is for him, an all encompassing passion.
DIALOGUE WITH THE GREAT
PAQUITO
D’RIVERA
Paquito D’Rivera began his career as a child prodigy,
playing both the clarinet and saxophone with the Cuban
National Symphony Orchestra.
DANILO NAVAS: Paquito, tell us about your initial years
in the world of music. Do you recall when you made a
conscious choice to become a musician?
PAQUITO: Yes I do, Danilo. I was born to be a
musician. My father was a classically trained saxophonist
who imported musical instruments and accessories. He had
a small shop in downtown Havana, close to Calle Prado. I
grew up seeing and meeting people who would later
become very influential in my life. Israel Cachao Lopez
used to buy his bass strings at my father’s shop; Chico
O’Farrill bought trumpets and Pedro Knight {Celia Cruz’s
husband} used to stop by every now and then. My father
had piano scores for sale and Lecuona would order sheet
music frequently. Chocolate Armenteros also stopped by.
You know, my father had only achieved a sixth grade
education. However, he acquired a varied, rich culture. He
was an avid reader, and he introduced me to the world of
literature. He was also an excellent writer. He wrote
beautiful letters, and taught me to write at a very young
age. Music and Literature have always been a very
important part of my life.
DN: Where were you in your musical development when
the Cuban Revolution occurred?
PAQUITO: I visited New York in 1960. I was still a child
and was performing for audiences in a big orchestra. I was
starting to discover the art of improvisational techniques
and I was also starting out as a classical saxophonist,
which was exactly what my father wanted. I think I was
about eleven years old at the time.
DN: How important was it for you to move to the United
States?
PAQUITO: Ever since I was a child I dreamed of coming
to New York City. It’s been another world. I always wanted
to come here, to have the opportunity of knowing and
working in diverse musical genres and to forge ahead with
my development as an active writer. I’ve already published
two books, and in 2002, won an ‘Award in Journalism.’
DN: What role does education play in your career?
PAQUITO: Oh, the musicians who perform with me are
also teachers. So every concert I give, aside from being
entertaining, becomes an educational experience. I always
talk about the origins of the rhythms I’m playing and
attempt to describe what they are. Since I don’t have time
to teach formally, my concerts have become my lectures.
78 JO LEE
SUMMER 2007