Mr. Prieto has composed music for dance,film,chamber ensembles,and,most notably,his own bands,ranging from duos to his "small big band". These groups are featured on his acclaimed recordings as a leader, About the Monks, Absolute Quintet (both on Zoho Music),and the 2008 sextet album Taking the soul for a walk. which launched his own record label,Danifson Music. His next album will be a live recording by his new Si d Si Quartet, to be realesed this fall. Mr. Prieto composed the title track of the 2008 Grammy-winning album Song for Chico by Arturo O'farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra.

He has received commissions,grants,and fellowships from Chamber Music America,Jazz at Lincoln Center,East Carolina University,and Meet the Composer. His awards include "Up and Coming Musician of the year"by the Jazz journalista Association in 2006, a Grammy nomination for "Absolute Quintet as Best Latin Jazz Album, and a Latin Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2007. A gifted educator, Mr. Prieto has conducted numerous master classes,clinics,and workshops. Since 2005,he has been a member of the music faculty of New York University.

All Abot Jazz has remarked, "Dafnis Prieto is easily the most impressive young drummer to come on the jazz scene during the past decade. Possesssing awesome virtuosity and astonishing versatility, Prieto has made important contributions are elaborate composites melding Afro-Cuban rhythms and modern jazz armonies into music that is ecstatic and intelligent. "The Latin Jazz Legend Eddie Palmieri wrote, "He is extraordinary, arhythmicstimulus. He comprehends the two most incredibly difficult rhythmic genres-being Cuban and extremly talented jazz drummer".

Mr. Prieto writes of this evening' performance: "I alwaysassociated the sound of the carnivals in Cuba with the sound of New Orleans music and its second line. That's why I decided to bring this open version of "Bla Bla Bla." which incorporates different time signatures and juxtaposes instrumental voices on top of this defined style."