The evening will bring together many leading performers of Latin music, including pianist Bebo Valdes, vocalist Rosa Passos, vibraphonist Dave Samuels, percussionist Candido, trumpeter Claudio Roditi, guitarist Romero Lubambo, and pianist Pablo Ziegler. D'Rivera will host, performing with his own group and with his guests, and telling tales of his career.

D'Rivera performed with the Cuban National Symphony as a teenager and later helped to found the Orquesta Cubana de M‹sica Moderna as well as Irakere, a highly influential rock-jazz ensemble. In 1981, D'Rivera defected to the United States, and has since led several of his own groups on more than 30 albums. He also performed and recorded extensively with classical groups. He was recently named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master for 2005.