Home » Jazz Musicians » Gregory Rivkin

Gregory Rivkin

 

Jazz artist and trumpeter Gregory Rivkin is definitely on his way to becoming one of the most tasteful, creative and distinctive instrumental improvisers. Russian-born Israeli, Gregory Rivkin was introduced to jazz when a family member “hipped” him to recordings by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, and John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie. Today, stepping into the phase of artistic maturity, Rivkin’s playing reflects not only academic knowledge of musical traditions but also broader influences from modern jazz. He maintains a fresh open-minded approach towards the creative process of performance and improvisation. His unique talent, sense of swing, compositional skills, and virtuosity present a genuine portrait of the ideal jazz musician. From the moment he plays his first note, this capacity can be heard and noticed. The International Trumpet Guild Journal notes Rivkin’s “extremely flawless technique” and describes his improvisational style as “lyrical, nicely flowing and hard-swinging melodic lines very reminiscent of Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan and Woody Shaw.” After hearing Mr. Rivkin play, jazz legend Lou Donaldson compared Gregory’s creativity and facility to the musical quality of his fellow trumpeter, jazz icon Clifford Brown. On his way to international acclaim as a performer and educator, Rivkin has appeared not only on the stage of prestigious U.S. venues such as Carnegie Hall, Blue Note, and The Hollywood Bowl but also at music festivals and master classes in Europe and the Middle East. Gregory won several national and international competitions in both jazz and classical disciplines. His selected sideman credentials include working with Elvin Jones Jazz Machine, Ray Charles Memorial Band, Mingus Big-Band, Johnny Griffin, Benny Golson and collaborations with veterans of such caliber as: Don Braden, Harvie S, Ralph La-Lama, Vic Juris, Onage Allan-Gumbs, to name only a few.


At this day and age the art Gregory Rivkin’s trumpet-playing is at the stage of epitome of taste and equilibrium on every and any level.

Always connected on stage to the moment and present tense, Gregory is a real -deal story-teller, when he plays ballads. Hard-swinging, lyrical and melodic at medium tempos, he becomes extremely dangerous, when it’s time to burn.

An accomplished band-leader with robust musical individuality and a prolific sideman, the trumpeter gained his international reputation in the scene of Paris, France and New York, N.Y., U.S.A. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2006. In addition to his diplomas with excellence in classical trumpet, Gregory has won awards in several international and national competitions in a discipline of classical and jazz trumpet held in Israel, France and the United States.

Read more

Tags

...Gregory Rivkin has that “Blue Note” sound of 60-ies, which is pretty unusual to our days... -Hal Galper, Pianist and Educator ...Lyrical , nicely -flowing and hard swinging lines in true-bop fashion, very reminiscent of Freddy Hubbard, Lee Morgan and Woody Shaw. -International Trumpet Guild Journal ...Gregory Rivkin sounds like the trumpeter, who use to work in my band-Clifford Brown… -Lou Donaldson, Saxophonist, Jazz Legend ...Gregory Rivkin is an outstandingly talented musician…a virtuoso trumpet player… -Vera Stern, President America-Israel Cultural Foundation ...Mr

Read more

Primary Instrument

Trumpet

Location

Tel Aviv

Credentials/Background

COLLEGE APPOINTMENTS 2005-2006 Adjunct Instructor Jazz/Music Appreciation, Instrumental Ensembles and Trumpet Essex County College, Newark, NJ/West Caldwell, NJ OTHER TEACHING EMPLOYMENT 2006-Present Faculty Member, Resident Artist O.S.P.A.C. Jazz Workshop, West Orange, NJ 2005-Present Faculty Member/Trumpet Instructor Newark School of the Arts, Newark, NJ Certification: The state of New Jersey Standard License (pending) The State of New Jersey Certificate of Eligibility(Music) The State of New Jersey Provisional Certificate

Clinic/Workshop Information

Read more

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.