The Gonzalo Rubalcaba Trio opens the 21st season for South Florida Jazz, a nonprofit presenting organization, with a concert on Saturday at the Miniaci Performing Arts Center in Davie.

The Cuban pianist burst onto the scene in the late 1980s, stunning audiences and peers with his technique and eloquence. If a stamp of approval was needed, Rubalcaba won two Grammys and received 14 nominations, but his technical brilliance sometimes ended up distracting from his ideas.

In recent years, his playing and writing have matured, revealing greater depth and breadth. He has his own label, 5Passion, and recently released his second album on that imprint, the excellent XXI Century, yet another twist to his explorations of modernity and tradition.

Rubalcaba can still wow audiences, and it’s almost a certainty there will be breathtaking moments Saturday night, but there is a richer, smarter, wiser simplicity at play now.

The Gonzalo Rubalcaba Trio performs at 8 p.m. at the Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center, 3100 Ferrero Blvd., Nova Southeastern University, Davie; tickets are $50, students $20, VIP $99 (includes party) at 954-462-0222 or southfloridajazz.org.