Portraits of Cuba reflects the musical odyssey of Paquito D’Rivera, a unique blend of Cuban and Jazz music that re-affirms both the artist's Cuban roots and his love for the American art form. Far beyond the realm of popular music, it is a jazz musicians's tribute to the enduring legacy of Cuba, beautifully orchestrated by arranger and conductor Carlos Franzetti and impeccably performed by Mr. D'Rivera and eighteen seasoned musicians, each with a proven track record of excellence. was recorded live without overdubbing at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in New York City over a two day period in February of 1996, using a single, high resolution microphone set-up, capturing the beautiful and natural reverberation of the old church. As Producer David Chesky explained in 2025: “At Chesky, the goal for me was to make the best-sounding recordings we could".
