This evening, PBS is set to broadcast the documentary "Paquito D'Rivera: From Carne y Frijol to Carnegie Hall" at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time as part of its VOCES series, coinciding with the Hispanic Heritage Month programming for 2026.
Viewers in South Florida can catch the film on WPBT, which covers Miami-Dade and Broward, airing at 10:00 p.m. local time. South Florida PBS confirms the evening broadcast in their October schedule.
For those in Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast, the WXEL station will air the documentary on Sunday, October 25, at 2:00 p.m. It's advisable to check local listings, as PBS schedules can vary by station. Additionally, the documentary will be accessible on PBS.org and the PBS app, although online availability might differ based on region and affiliated stations.
The 60-minute film is crafted by Juan Mandelbaum, an Argentine documentarian based in Boston with an extensive history with PBS. Latino Public Media's official synopsis describes the documentary as a journey through D'Rivera's career, from a child prodigy in Havana, Cuba, to an acclaimed performer, composer, and celebrated ambassador of Latin jazz, honored with multiple GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY awards.
Combining interviews and performances filmed in New York, Virginia's Wolf Trap, Miami, and Uruguay, the production features collaborations with pianist Chucho Valdés and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. It also showcases the debut of D'Rivera's original concert piece, The Journey, performed with the National Symphony Orchestra at Wolf Trap.
The Rise of a Latin Jazz Legend
The documentary's narrative begins in Havana, where D'Rivera started playing the saxophone at age five and performed with the National Theater Orchestra of Cuba by the age of 10. In 1973, he co-founded Irakere with Chucho Valdés, a pioneering group that blended jazz, rock, and Afro-Cuban rhythms. During a tour with the band in Spain in 1980, D'Rivera sought asylum at the American embassy in Madrid, eventually relocating to New York—a move that, according to the documentary's official notes, came with significant personal sacrifice.
Before its national television debut, the film was showcased in festivals, premiering globally at Boston's Latino CineFest at the Museum of Fine Arts in September 2025. Tonight's PBS broadcast marks its first nationwide television airing.
This documentary is part of a broader Hispanic Heritage Month lineup on PBS, which also includes American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez and the 39th Hispanic Heritage Awards.
PBS's official announcement for the VOCES series highlights the film as a celebration of Paquito D'Rivera's life and legacy through music and memories, chronicling his transformation from a prodigy in Cuba to a distinguished career as a musician, composer, and beloved ambassador of Latin jazz.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Paquito D'Rivera Documentary
When is the Paquito D'Rivera documentary airing in Miami?
The documentary will air in Miami on PBS station WPBT at 10:00 p.m. local time.
How can I watch the documentary if I miss the PBS broadcast?
The documentary will be available for streaming on PBS.org and the PBS app, although accessibility might vary by region and affiliated station.
What is the focus of the Paquito D'Rivera documentary?
The film chronicles Paquito D'Rivera's journey from a child prodigy in Cuba to a celebrated Latin jazz musician and composer, featuring interviews and performances with notable artists.