Panamericana Suite

Recorded live at Pittsburgh’s Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild for MCG Jazz, Panamericana Suite takes its name from a piece commissioned by Jazz at Lincoln Center that D’Rivera premiered in 2000. A stunning cultural synthesis encompassing North, Central, and South America leavened with a Caribbean rhythmic sensibility, the project reflects D’Rivera’s embracing musical vision. Panamericana Suite boasts an all-star international cast, with Pedro Martinez (batas, timbales, vocals), Pernell Saturnino (percussion), Oscar Stagnaro (bass), and Mark Walker (Percussion) comprising the supple rhythm section, so it's no surprise that the album picked up two Grammy Awards - one for Best Latin Jazz Album and the other for Best Classical Contemporary Composition.