Paquito D'Rivera © Vance Jacobs

Taking a cue from Dizzy Gillespie's United Nation Orchestra, alumnus and NEA Jazz Master Paquito D'Rivera leads a cast of Chicago musicians including Fareed Haque, Howard Levy, Liam Teague, Mark Walker, Tito Carillo, Angel Melendez, Jose Rendon, Willie Garcia and others to celebrate the mutual influence inspired by jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie's travels to Latin America and the Caribbean. Chicago Jazz Ensemble artistic director and Dizzy protege, Jon Faddis will join his former band mate in this exciting orchestra. Music will include compositions written by Dizzy and composers from Latin America, including Chicagoan Elbio Barilari.

Paquito D'Rivera

In May of 2003, Paquito D'Rivera received a Doctorate Honoris Causa in Music, from the Berklee School of Music, adding this to his many numerous awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award for his Contribution to Latin Music along with Dizzy Gillespie and Gato Barbieri. In addition to his awards and recognitions, including six Grammys, Paquito makes history for being the frist artist to win Latin Grammies in both Classical and Latin Jazz categories, for Stravinsky's "Historia del Soldado" and "Bazilian Dreams" with New York Voices in 2003, the other historic recipient is Wynton Marsalis.

Mr. D'Rivera is an Artist in Residence at New Jersey Performing Arts Center and serves as member of the board of director of many important artistic organizations in the US that influence classical and jazz styles alike. For ten years, Mr. D'Rivera has been Artistic Director of the famous world-class Festival International de Jazz en el Tambo in Uruguay. Paquito's guests have included such luminaries as McCoy Tyner, James Moody, Phil Woods and many more.

Millennium Park is located in the heart of downtown Chicago. It is bordered by Michigan Avenue to the east, Columbus Drive to the west, Randolph Street to the north and Monroe Street to the south. Convenient parking is located in the Millennium Park Garage (entrance on Columbus at Monroe or Randolph) and at the Grant Park North and East Monroe Garages, all located within a short walking distance to Millennium Park.

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Millennium Park along with the Jazz Institute of Chicago present the savory sounds of Chicago jazz during eight free concerts at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion this summer. Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz will highlight the ways in which the Chicago music scene continues to influence musicians from around the globe. This summer series will explore the Chicago jazz community and the layers of extensions it has created throughout the world. Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz takes place on Thursdays throughout June, July and August. The eighth concert, on Monday, August 28, kicks off "Jazz Week," culminating with the Chicago Jazz Festival, which takes place August 31 through September 3, 2006.

"We are so proud and excited to present this summer's music series Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz," said Millennium Park Executive Director Helen Doria. "Through these incredible concerts, our very own Chicago jazz musicians will join jazz talent from around the world, bringing exhilarating sounds to Millennium Park's Pritzker Pavilion throughout the summer."

"There is an enormous wealth of jazz talent in Chicago," said Jazz Institute of Chicago Executive Director Lauren Deutsch. "We're looking forward to introducing people to some of the best jazz artists in the country, who happen to live in Chicago. We hope that people realize that there is no better jazz than right here at home."

Paquito D'Rivera's PanAmerican Orquestra, featuring special guest Jon Faddis perform a free concert on Thursday, June 22nd at 6:30 pm at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millenium Park in Chicago.

On June 30 at 7:30 PM Made in Chicago presents Sonidos Calientes: Inspiracion Latina at Kilbourn Park, 3501 N. Kilbourn. Get Out Your Dancing Shoes! Trombonist John Rodriguez leads this young band of stellar musicians whose repertoire includes the music of Mongo Santamaria, Eddie Palmieri, Arturo Sandoval as well as original compositions. Dancing is not only permitted, it is highly recommended!