Jazz musicians Paquito D’Rivera and Anat Cohen will ignite the 2012 Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival with a performance at 8 p.m. tonight in the Student Union Building ballroom.
“Our theme this year is ‘Mentors and Masters: Partners Shaping Tomorrow,’ and we try to reflect that in our programming,” said James Brownson, director of development and marketing for Jazz Fest.
D’Rivera has performed at the University of Idaho in the past, and Brownson said he is excited to have him back.
D’Rivera, who Brownson said is “one
of the true great saxophonists and clarinetists in the jazz world today,” will perform with Anat Cohen, who Brownson, an “up-and-coming player.”
D’Rivera won nine Grammy awards for his contributions to Latin and classic jazz. D’Rivera is from Havana, Cuba, and currently lives in New York City. He has been performing since age 10, and is known for mixing various music styles to create new sounds.
D’Rivera has recorded more than 30 solo albums and is recognized as a founding member of the United Nation Orchestra. D’Rivera received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Carnegie Hall in 1991 for his contributions to Latin music.
He has published two books, “My Sax Life,” about his life in the jazz world, and a novel called “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.
Cohen, one of the primary voices of her generation on both the tenor saxophone and clarinet, was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, and has been studying and playing jazz music since age 12.
Cohen entered the Thelma Yelin High School for the Arts at age 16. After graduating she discharged her mandatory Israeli military service duty from 1993 to 1995, playing tenor saxophone in the Israeli Air Force band. Cohen now lives in New York City where she performs and explores a number of different jazz styles.
“She’s a younger player,” Brownson said. “She can play anything from Benny Goodman to Jon Coultry and anything in between.”
Brownson said he has seen both artists perform before but is excited to have them as a duet.
“I’ve never seen them together and it’s going to be a great combination,” Brownson said.
Both artists will hold workshops throughout
the week as part of the festival.
Tonight’s performance is open to the public for $20 and $7 for students. Tickets can be purchased through the Vandal Ticket Office or at the door.