Thanks to Paquito D'Rivera for this amazing opportunity.

"Every good gift comes from above, from the Father of lights" God is good!

REVIEWS

FROM: HTTP://JAZZ.COM - "D'Rivera is as generous and prescient as he is talented, and he gave the stage to two young musicians, flutist José Valentino and pianist Tony Madruga, who performed D’Rivera’s “Fiddle Dreams,” commissioned by Library of Congress and originally played by Regina Carter. They played with tremendous authority and sophistication for musicians of their age. The many moods and tempo shifts of this fairly abstract piece, with both scored and improvised sections for both instruments, exploits both the percussive and lyrical capabilities of the flute, over a rolling, sometimes roiling, piano accompaniment. By turns jaunty and blues-tinged, these progressions pushed the musicians hard, especially as they traded fours: José Valentino's vigorous lines were each played to the last breath, like a man who has a point to make before he is finished having his say. Pianist Tony Madruga supported Valentino fully with the dissonances, lush voicings and Latin figures that propel this complex piece through development with continuous rhythmic motion."

FROM: WWW.ALLABOUTJAZZ.COM - "Another part of Rivera's Friday night set was a performance of his "Fiddle Dreams," commissioned by Library of Congress and originally played by Regina Carter. But he gave up the stage, letting two young musicians—flutist Jose Valentino and pianist Tony Madruga—play the piece. They did so very well."

FROM: WWW.BERKSHIREFINEARTS.COM - "Following a Standing O for "Cachao" Paquito turned over the stage to two young musicians from Miami, Tony Madruga on piano and Jose Valentino flute. He explained that the composition he wrote "Fiddle Dreams" is so difficult and complex that "I can't play it." They were just wonderful and again the audience awarded them with a Standing O. He remarked that we need to hear more great young players. Right on. They were brought back to join the septet for the finale."