Diego Rivera Jazz comes to Birmingham

The Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings Nightnotes Series presents Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies, Saxophone and Improvisation at Michigan State University, Diego Rivera. Rivera, along with an ensemble of musicians, will perform jazz standard’s in addition to his own original works.

The concert will be held on Friday, April 10 at 8:00 p.m. at Hagopian World of Rugs in Birmingham. Guests are invited to arrive early to enjoy a pre-concert reception at 7:30 p.m.

Diego Rivera has been called, “A vital, new voice on the saxophone.” In 1999, Rivera toured nationally with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra for their Big Band ’99 U.S. tour. Since, his performances have taken him throughout North America, Russia and Japan. Rivera has been teaching Jazz Studies at Michigan State University since 2002. In 2010, he was appointed Assistant Professor of Jazz Saxophone and Improvisation at Michigan State University. His Commitment to the education of young jazz musicians resulted in his appointment as Associate Conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Civic Jazz Ensembles. In 2005 Rivera was commissioned by the Center for Great Lakes Culture to compose and premiere an original jazz suite in honor of civil rights activist Dolores Huerta. In 2006, he released his first album Hercules on his own label, Rivera Records. An avid composer and arranger, Rivera has written arrangements for a number of events and concerts, most notably for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s “Motor City Jazz” concert, a tribute to the music and musicians of Detroit.

Tickets for the performance are $22 regular/senior and $10 for students. All tickets are $5 more when purchased at the door. For tickets or information please call 248-559-2095 or visit www.detroitchamberwinds.org.