Funding for the Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program NEA Jazz Master interview was provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. PAQUITO D’RIVERA NEA Jazz Master (2005) Interviewee: Paquito D’ Rivera (June 4, 1948 - ) Interviewer: Willard Jenkins with recording engineer Ken Kimery Date: June 11, 2010 and June 12, 2010 Repository: Archives Center, National Museum of American History Description: Transcript, 68 pp. Willard: Please give us your full given name. Paquito: I was born Francisco Jesus Rivera Feguerez, but years later I changed to Paquito D’Rivera. Willard: Where did Paquito come from? Paquito: Paquito is the little for Francisco in Latin America. Tito, or Paquito Paco, it is a little word for Francisco. My father’s name was Francisco also, but, his little one was Tito, like Tito Puente. Willard: And what is your date of birth? Paquito: I was born June 4, 1948, in Havana, Cuba. Willard: What neighborhood in Havana were you born in? Paquito: I was born and raised very close, 10 blocks from the Tropicana Cabaret. The wonderful Tropicana Night-Club. So, the neighborhood was called Marinao. It was in the outskirts of Havana, one of the largest neighborhoods in Havana. As I said before, very close to Tropicana. My father used to import and distribute instruments and accessories of music. For additional information contact the Archives Center at 202.633.3270 or
[email protected] Page | 1 Willard: And what were your parents’ names? Paquito: My father’s name was Paquito Francisco, and my mother was Maura Figuerez. Willard: Where are your parents from? Paquito: My mother is from the Riento Province, the city of Santiago de Cuba.