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Ivan Renta
Ivan began playing Alto Sax at the age of 13 in his hometown of Coamo, Puerto Rico Soon after that he moved to NYC to attend the "New School Jazz and Contemporary Music Program". While at the New School, Ivan studied with Jazz legends such as Reggie Workman, Gary Dial, George Garzone, Buster Williams to name a few. In 2000 Ivan got a call to participate on the Tito Puente & Eddie Palmieri recording "Masterpiece", winner of multiple Grammys and what turned out to be Puente's last album.
After recording “Masterpiece”, Ivan became a member of Eddie Palmieri’s Latin Jazz Ensemble and Salsa Band and accepted an invitation made to him by pianist/composer/arranger Arturo O’Farrill to join the Jazz at the Lincoln Center’s Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra. After working with Mr. Palmieri for approximately six years, he proceeded to become the saxophonist for Salsa legend Willie Colon’s Orchestra. He has also collaborated extensively with trombonist Luis Bonilla and percussionist Chembo Cornel.
“Take off a Musical Odyssey” is Ivan’s first solo recording project. Laced with outstanding performances by some of Ivan’s friends (who happen to be some of the world’s finest musicians), this recording takes us through the musical journey that he has experienced, as he made his epic journey through the New York and world music scene. Five of the eight compositions on this recording were authored by Ivan and he also did all the arrangements. This dynamic project highlights Ivan’s intense energy, creativity and passion for music.
Ivan Renta is a Yamaha Performing Artist.
Awards
Has been on 3 Grammy winning recordings and 5 Grammy Nominated recordings. Was on soundtrack for "Chico & Rita", a musical animated film, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Film.
Gear
Ivan Renta is a Yamaha Performing Artist. Ivan Renta uses a Yamaha Custom Z Unlacquered Tenor Sax, a Yamaha 475 Soprano Sax and a Yamaha 385 Flute.
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Arturo O'Farrill: Virtual Birdland
by Jack Bowers
Whenever an obstacle presents itself--even one as devastating and disruptive as a global pandemic--it's a sure bet that musicians will find a way around it, a way to keep making music even in the most grievous circumstances. Jazz musicians have been especially creative during the Covid-19 scourge, using social media, the internet and any other means at their disposal to share their music with the world. True, the paychecks aren't as large or as regular as once they were, but ...
Continue ReadingArturo O'Farrill: Four Questions
by Jerome Wilson
Surprisingly this set marks the first time Arturo O'Farrill has recorded a set of solely his own compositions. It was worth the wait because this music, played by his Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, really demonstrates the cinematic sweep and variety of his writing. The set is constructed around two topical extended works. The first, “Four Questions," is based on four questions about the struggle for human rights and personal dignity first posed by African-American author W.E.B. DuBois in ...
Continue ReadingArturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra: Four Questions
by Jack Bowers
The Four Questions addressed by composer / pianist Arturo O'Farrill's Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra on its latest album were first posed in 1903 by W.E.B. DuBois in his book The Souls of Black Folk and are answered herein by the esteemed educator / historian / social activist Dr. Cornel West. For the record, the questions are “what does integrity do in the face of adversity and oppression, what does honesty do in the face of lies and deception, what does ...
Continue ReadingIvan Renta: Take Off - A Musical Odyssey
by James Nadal
There is a time honored tradition in jazz of coming up as a sideman, earning as well as learning, paying some dues, and then moving on to a solo project. Saxophonist Ivan Renta has been doing just that. With an extensive formal music education, a premier session man and after years in the horn section of major salsa and Latin Jazz bands -notably that of Eddie Palmieri -he has released his first record as leader, Take Off -A Musical Odyssey ...
Continue ReadingIvan Renta to tour Spain with the Bebo de Cuba All Star Latin Jazz Big Band in November
Source:
All About Jazz
Saxophonist Ivan Renta to Tour with Lincoln Center's Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra
Source:
All About Jazz
The Jazz at the Lincoln Center's Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra will be performing throughout the United States and even in Shanghai, China (in October) as part of their critically acclaimed 2004 tour. Their recent appearance at Monterey Jazz Festival, highlights what has been until now a very successful musical journey. This 17 piece orchestra, under the direction of pianist Arturo O'Farril (son of the late Legendary Composer and Bandleader Chico O'Farril and an outstanding arranger, composer and pianist himself) has brought ...
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