Mario Rivera, 1939 - 2007
Rivera was born in the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on July 22, 1939. Although best known as a saxophonist, Rivera lived as a multi-instrumentalist, mastering flute, trumpet, tambora, timbales, congas, vibes and more. He toured with Tito Rodriguez from 1963 – 1965. Rivera eventually moved to New York and began performing with a variety of musicians from both Latin Jazz and traditional jazz circles, including Machito, Eddie Palmieri, Mongo Santamaria, Sonny Stitt, and George Coleman. In 1988, he joined Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nation’s Orchestra and then later became a member of the Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Big Band. Rivera’s most high-profile musical relationship was as a member of Tito Puente’s various ensembles, a partnership that lasted over two decades. His recording credits as a sideman range include Puente, Palmieri, Machito, and Gillespie as well as Chico O’Farrill, Conrad Herwig, Stanley Turrentine, and Papo Vazquez. As a leader, Rivera recorded one album, El Commandante
I’m working on more information about Mario and his music, please come back for more tributes to this master musician. If you have any memories about Mr. Rivera or info about his life that you can share, please comment or e-mail me!
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This is an inmense loss,as Mario was one of a kind,and one ot the few musicians who were conversant in traditional salsa (check his work with Tipica 73 out),Latin Jazz and post-bop.He will be missed.
I was fortunate enough to have seen him live with Tito Purnte in the 80’s,and to have met this humble giant of a man.
Mario will be missed
Letter I wrote to news paper in Miami
Mario was a man who had five children and sisters too. His son Phoenix became an outstanding percussionist. You said nothing about his family, I was with him in the hospital and watched him slowly die. It was awful those last days. They were not giving him medication for the pain for the bone cancer. I helped a little to get the doctor to give him a regular pain shot, but because I am not a part of the family I do not know what happened the last few days.
He has sons in Chicago, Florida, New York city and ?
His son’s e mail is phoenixrivera@hotmail.com Phoenix stayed with his Dad most all the time since he was born from my understanding.
They have not called me, his sister or Phoenix. The singer was there who worked with Mario on tour dates. I did not get her name we are all very upset and I never worked with her when I performed with Tito..
Mario was a good man and performed in my 10 piece jazz band for three years until my wife left me with the kids and I lost all my drive for a couple of years. I remember how Mario never complained and always supported the music.
When I went to visit him I took him out a few days to walk and one day there was a street fair. I tried to bring him some happiness. I bought him a watch because he told me that he had a big watch like I had. I took some pictures of Mario and his son.
His son was very devoted too and went everyday for months. Mario has a tape of a concert in Europe where he plays vibes, trumpet, alto flute, soprano flute, tenor and soprano saxophone plus timbales. He gave everything to his music. I was complaining about playing so many woodwind instruments/.
He said to me those last weeks in the hospital, this means there are more possibilities. I will always remember that music gives us more possibilities.
In the hospital with his sister, Alfafda? We watched him cry out for two ½ hours before they came in to give him a shot. When he quieted down I went home and said good bye because I knew he only had a few more days left. I told his sister to complain and complain to see to it that he gets enough pain shots. No one should have to suffer like that. I am very upset about this.
I haven’t seen Mario for some 10 years or so because I left the music seen to travel and become a new musician. I got back two years ago in 2004 Sept. I heard Mario was in the hospital when I was at a musician’s birthday party,. Sarah Jane Cion
I was so happy to be in contact with Mario once again. I hope you can write about him some more, about his family and his music. His band he took to Europe was a special band his son has a tape of the concert.
Artist of Music
Greg Henry Waters
I was very sorry to hear about the passing of Mario. The last time I saw him was at Walter Booker’s memorial service at St. Peter’s Church (January 20007). He appeared to be in good health — never mentioned anything about cancer. Around 1980, I had the wonderful opportunity to play piano in Mario’s group the “Salsa Refugees”. Hilton Ruiz had recommended me & introduced me to Mario. The music really gave wings to the spirit! Mario always had a positive outlook & was an amazing guy — I’ll truly miss him. Burt Eckoff
Yeah I got a 15 year PhotoArchive right up there with Marty Cohen’s-I am also a pianist and spent a lot of quality visual and performance time with the “fellows’ Ft Apache, Mario, Dalto, Hilton y sigo por ahi……I especially loved Mario on pocket trumpet playing Charlie Parker with Jerry & Alfredo de La Fe in the Johnny Colon Workshops in el Barrio, Spanish Haarlem, NYC.And give Phoenix my regards, P’ my brother “Cuqui Rivera a little Giovanni Hidalgo in his time just passed away -hes on a louping Smithsonian “RAICES” Boys HArbor reel in the exhibition and that was 8 years painfilled…..no more pain bro, no more! Ache! hope to see you if ever in my new ‘home” London…TOntxi Vazquez (TONE-the fotographer) Le prendi velas a tu pae el y a Hilton RIP
My sites are in ricanstruction but see:
http://www.stooppix.free.fr
http://www.tela.free.fr
Suavecito …….
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Mario Rivera and sharing stage in 1981 in Philadelphia. A very gentle and passionate musician. He will be missed.
A. Rivera (musician)