Mario Rivera a Latin jazz icon 1939-2007

[Isaac]

August 10, 2007 NEW YORK PRESS
Mario Rivera 1939 – 2007

Mario Rivera a Latin jazz icon

Today we lost a Latin musical legend Dominican
multi-instrumentalist Mario Rivera. 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.

Rivera came to NYC in the early 1960’s for his love of
music and jazz. Rivera was a musician that was able to
play straight-ahead jazz and hardcore Latin with the
precision of a master sharp shooter. Because of the
mastery of his craft Rivera was one of the most
popular sidemen in the music business. He has played,
toured, and recorded with legendary musicians like
Tito Puente, Matchito, Tito Rodriguez, Dizzy
Gillespie, Eddie Palmieri, George Colman, and many
others.
Even though Rivera was one of the most hard working
sidemen in the jazz and Latin music business he also
lead two groups of his own “Salsa Refugees” and “The
Mario Rivera Sextet,” and released an album titled “El
Comandante” where he experiments with merengue jazz.
Back on Tuesday June 5, 2007 I attended a benefit
tribute for Rivera at Birdland that was hosted by
pianist Arturo O’Farrill together with Mario Rivera’s
son drummer Phoenix Rivera. On that day Birdland was
packed with a who’s who of Latin and jazz musicians
who were all there to pay tribute and homage to the
musical man that they loved, respected, and was apart
or helped in the development of their musical careers.
When I asked conga king Candido Camero what Mario
Rivera meant to him he said, “For me I’m very proud,
lucky, and honored to have known Mario Rivera for many
years. And for me he is a genius, a friend, and a
great musician that I admire, respect, and love very
much.”
Cuban saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera in regards to the
importance of Mario Rivera said, “He is one of the
most important people in the development of Latin jazz
musicians in the United States. Mario is very
important to us and is an icon for us Latin musicians,
which I don’t think he himself knew, until tonight.”
Pianist Eddie Palmieri who talks about his friend who
he recorded “The Sun of Latin Music” album with says,
“Mario Rivera recorded some classic music with me and
is a dear friend and one of the most incredible
musicians we have in our genre. We are all here to
dedicate the night to him, because he deserves it and
more.”
Longtime friend and band mate of the Tito Puente
orchestra who performed that night; Jose Madera says
about his friend and mentor, “Having worked with Mario
Rivera for the better part of 37 years, it is a
pleasure for us to be here and play for him. Because
this band is really his, a lot of his interpretation
of playing the saxophone is prevalent in the sax
section, so it was just a pleasure to do this to help
Mario.”
When the musical performances were finished for the
night I spoke with Phoenix Rivera, Rivera’s son and
asked him what the night meant to him and his father
his response was, “This night meant that everything
that he strived for and everything that he worked for
and all the things he has put aside whether it be
family or his own life just to enhance the music, that
it was all worth it. In other words he is a bad
motherf-----.”
Before the night was over as the musicians were
packing up to go and saying their goodbyes, Mario
Rivera said to me, “I am surprised to see so many
people here but I am not at the same time. Because you
know as a musician sometimes you don’t realize that
people know about you, so it was a great surprise for
me to see all these people here.” The master saxophone
player continues to say, “This was a big special night
for me and I’m very happy that it happened and I could
be here to enjoy it.”
Rivera’s final words to the people that went and
showed their love and support that night were, “I love
them very much and thank them for their support
because all artists need this kind of support from the
people and vise-versa. I loved it and I’m glad that
they all came. Thank you.”
Rivera passing is being felt very hard in the Latin
music and jazz community and he will be sorely missed.
But I’m glad that we have his stories, music
recordings, photos, and videos to remember this grand
musician because what he left us makes him truly immortal.

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[CongaTick]

Thank you Isaac, for continuing the tradition of tributes honoring the greats who shaped our world of music

[vinnieL]

My Father is from the DR and he always brought up Mario my Dad loved the way he played. I learned to appreciate him on one of Tito Rodriguez's albums. He was special.

[Isaac]

Another two Latin Legend we lost a few months ago
were Soneros, HECTOR CASANOVA and TITO GOMEZ

1941-2007 Hector Casanova: singer Johnny Pacheco orchestra, the Fania All Stars, Hector Lavoe, Africando )

1948-2007 Tito Gomes: singer La Sonora Ponceña, Ray Barretto

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