Just Friends Jazz Series
In 1999, Renta moved to NYC to attend the New School Jazz and Contemporary Music Program. While at the New School, he studied with jazz legends such as Reggie Workman, Gary Dial, George Garzone and Buster Williams, to name a few. In 2000, he got a call to participate in Tito Puente & Eddie Palmieri’s recording Masterpiece, winner of multiple Grammys and what turned out to be Puente’s last album. After recording Masterpiece, Renta became a member of Eddie Palmieri’s Latin jazz ensemble and salsa band. He accepted an invitation in 2004 made to him by pianist, composer and arranger Arturo O’Farrill to join the Jazz at the Lincoln Center’s Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. After working with Palmieri for approximately six years, he proceeded to become the saxophonist for salsa legend Willie Colon’s Orchestra. He has also collaborated extensively with trombonist Luis Bonilla and percussionist Chembo Corniel. In 2013, he released his first project as a leader, Take Off: A Musical Odyssey, with pianist Edsel Gomez, bassist Ruben Rodriguez, drummer Ernesto Simpson and percussionist Richie Flores, with special guests Giovanni Hidalgo, Luis Bonilla and Nelson “Gazu” Jaime.
In February of 2014, Renta‘s lifetime body of work was recognized by the Puerto Rico House of Representatives. He has performed with his Latin Jazz Quintet at the Ventana al Jazz Fest (2014 and 2016) in Puerto Rico and Humberto Ramirez’s Puerto Rico Jazz Jam and at various jazz clubs throughout the New York City area. He continues to work with Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. He has also performed and/or recorded with the big bands of Ron Carter, Jimmy Heath, Robin Eubanks, Chris Potter and Jon Faddis, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and Eddie Palmieri. Ivan Renta is a Yamaha and D’Addario Woodwinds Artist.
