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Mario Rivera

Mario Rivera was a gifted musician, composer and arranger that played 13 instruments, which included piano, vibraphone, drums, trumpet, timbales, congas, flute, and piccolo. But Rivera was known for how he kissed and caressed the tenor, soprano, alto and baritone saxophones. He could play all of the family of saxophones on a virtuosic level as a soloist and section player and was one of the very few saxophonists who also mastered of the flute in the Cuban charanga style. Unlike most musicians, Rivera played all these instruments at an exceedingly high level of musicianship Mario was born July 22, 1939 in Santo Domingo, The Dominican Republic. After he arrived in NYC in 1961, he worked with Puerto Rican vocalist Joe Valle. His most significant musical associations through the years include Tito Rodriguez (1963-65), The Machito Orchestra, Sonny Stitt, Charlie Palmieri, Eddie Palmieri, Tipica 73, The George Coleman Octet, Dizzy Gillespie's United Nation Orchestra, Slide Hampton's Jazz Masters, the Afro Blue Band, Giovanni Hidalgo, Chico O'Farll's Orchestra and especially Tito Puente's Orchestra and Latin Jazz Ensemble with whom he worked for on and off for decades. Even though Rivera was one of the hardest working sidemen in the jazz and Latin music business he also led two groups of his own Salsa Refugees and The Mario Rivera Sextet. Although having appeared on virtually hundreds of recording, Mario recorded only one disc as a leader named after his sobriquet, “El Comandante.” It has fine examples of combinations of the native rhythm of his homeland, merengue from the Dominican Republic and jazz improvisation. Indeed it can be considered not only a tribute to his homeland and his mastery of jazz harmony but an homage also to one of his inspirations and yet another unsung hero, fellow Dominican saxophone master, Tavito Vasquez. Rivera passing is being felt very hard in the Latin music and jazz community and he will be sorely missed. But we have his stories, music recordings, photos, and videos to remember this grand musician because what he left us makes him truly immortal. We leave the readers with these final thoughts from Mario himself: “In my case, the day becomes the night and the night becomes the day. There are no vehicles on the street; there are no sirens at night. There is nothing that could block the inspiration. My home is like a musical laboratory because I have to accomplish so many things, I have to learn to play so many instruments.

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Festival

4th Edition South Florida Dominican Jazz Fest - Tributes "El Comandante" Mario Rivera Set for October 17

4th Edition South Florida Dominican Jazz Fest  - Tributes "El Comandante" Mario Rivera Set for October 17

Source: Fernando Rodriguez

In October 2012, Landestoy Enterprises presented a completely new and exiting concept from the Dominican Republic: The South Florida Dominican Jazz Fest. A multicultural event that brought to Florida the best Jazz currently being made by musicians in the Dominican Republic as well as Dominicans living in the United States. October of this year is just around the corner and Miami is preparing itself for the 4th versión of this event. The level of success of the presentations have been ...

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Performance / Tour

Mario Rivera Memorial Monday, August 27 2007, at 7PM at St. Peters Church

Mario Rivera Memorial Monday, August 27 2007, at 7PM at St. Peters Church

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services


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Performance / Tour

Benefit Concert for Mario Rivera Tuesday, June 5 at Birdland

Benefit Concert for Mario Rivera Tuesday, June 5 at Birdland

Source: All About Jazz

A benefit concert for the great Mario Rivera will take place Tuesday, June 5 from 7:00 pm-12:00 am at Birdland, 315 W. 44 Street, 212-581-3080.

The admission will be $25 and all proceeds will go directly to Mario to help him with his medical and living expenses.

Artists performing include The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra with Arturo O'Farrill, Paquito d'Rivera, Wynton Marsalis, George Coleman, Giovanni Hidalgo, Papo Vasquez, the Tito Puente Orchestra, and many others. Thank you very much for ...

Martin Perna
saxophone, baritone

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