The New Caribbean Phenom.
— Eddie Palmieri
 
 

Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and raised in Coamo, Puerto Rico, Ivan Renta has become one of the premiere saxophonists in the Jazz, Latin Jazz and Latin Music Industry. His ability to adapt to any musical situation has landed him on stage at many of the world’s most prestigious venues and music festivals. His credentials include performances and over 200 recordings with artists such as Tito Puente, Wynton Marsalis, Eddie Palmieri, Willie Colon, Ron Carter, Bobby Valentin, Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Heath,Ray Baretto, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra Chucho and Bebo Valdez, to name a few.

Mr Renta has also performed with such diverse musical acts as Al Jarreau,Tom Odell, Stevie Van Sandt and Hall & Oates. Mr. Renta has collaborated on five Grammy Award winning recordings. Mr. Renta is also an active Music Educator and Clinician. In 1999, Mr Renta moved to NYC to attend the "New School Jazz and Contemporary Music Program". While at the New School, Ivan studied with Jazz legends such as Reggie Workman, Gary Dial, George Garzone, Buster Williams to name a few. In 2000 Ivan got a call to participate on Tito Puente & Eddie Palmieri's recording "Masterpiece" winner of multiple Grammys and what turned out to be Puente's last album. After recording “Masterpiece”, Mr. Renta became a member of Eddie Palmieri’s Latin Jazz Ensemble and Salsa Band. Mr. Renta accepted an invitation in 2004 made to him by pianist/composer/arranger Arturo O’Farrill to join the Jazz at the Lincoln Center’s Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra. After working with Mr. 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. He recently released his first project as a leader 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. It was released in September of 2013.

 

In February of 2014, Mr. 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 & 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, where he is a featured soloist, and has travelled to Cuba with the the last few years wherethey recorded the Grammy award winning album “Cuba: The conversation continues”. 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.