The renowned Cuban musician Paquito D'Rivera, a legendary figure in the world of jazz, is set to perform on Monday, April 27, at the Symphony Hall of the National Auditorium in Madrid. The concert, entitled "Jazz Meets the Classics," will commence at 7:30 PM.
"Hello, friends, this is Paquito D'Rivera. If you're in Madrid these days, come join us on Monday, April 27, at the wonderful National Auditorium of Madrid. At half-past seven, we'll be presenting a concert of 'Jazz Meets the Classics'... Don't miss it, you're going to love it," expressed the Cuban musician in a video message to his followers on CiberCuba.
A Unique Musical Fusion
This event is part of the Scherzo Foundation's Horizons cycle and features Cuban pianist Pepe Rivero and Colombian vibraphonist and marimbist Sebastián Laverde as part of the core trio. The special guest for the evening will be Madrid-based harmonica player Antonio Serrano, an international icon in chromatic harmonica, who has received a Latin Grammy for his work on the tribute album "Entre 20 aguas: A la música de Paco de Lucía" and the National Award for Current Music in 2025.
The program will showcase works by Mozart, Chopin, and other classical composers, seamlessly blended with jazz. D'Rivera has mentioned that he performs the slow movement of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto as a "blues" and believes that Mozart, known for his improvisational skills, would have appreciated this innovative approach.
A Voice of Opposition
The legendary clarinetist and saxophonist, who has garnered 18 Grammy and Latin Grammy awards throughout his extensive 75-year career, has been highly visible in Spanish media recently. He has been promoting his European tour while making bold political statements about Cuba.
In a recent interview with CiberCuba on April 15, D'Rivera called for a complete overhaul of power in Cuba, stating unequivocally, "The same people who destroyed Cuba won't rebuild it."
During the interview, he also dedicated the song "¡Vámonos ya, se acabó!" to Díaz-Canel and labeled the denial of political prisoners in Cuba as a "big lie." As of February 2026, 1,214 individuals, including 17 artists, were imprisoned for political reasons in Cuba.
Furthermore, in his conversation with CiberCuba, the musician criticized Chico Buarque for ignoring the plight of Cuban political prisoner and Latin Grammy winner Maykel Osorbo, who was sentenced to nine years in prison in June 2022 for the song "Patria y Vida," which won two Latin Grammy awards in 2021.
Born in Havana in 1948, D'Rivera left Cuba in 1980 during a tour in Spain and has since been a persistent critic of the Cuban regime.
Monday's concert at the National Auditorium is a rare chance to witness live performances by one of the giants of Cuban and Iberian jazz, in a program that promises to bridge two musical worlds that D'Rivera has been connecting for decades.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paquito D'Rivera's Madrid Concert
Who will be performing with Paquito D'Rivera at the concert?
The concert will feature Cuban pianist Pepe Rivero and Colombian vibraphonist Sebastián Laverde as part of the main trio, with special guest harmonica player Antonio Serrano.
What can attendees expect from the concert program?
The program will include a fusion of classical works by composers like Mozart and Chopin with jazz improvisations.
Why is Paquito D'Rivera critical of the Cuban government?
Paquito D'Rivera has been vocally critical of the Cuban regime, calling for a complete change in leadership and condemning the denial of political prisoners.