Jazz musicians seem to remain in touch with their spirituality much more deeply than most people. The whole idea of pulling an improvised statement out of thin air implies a deeper connection with the world. They look inside themselves, sharply defining their personality and translating their perspectives into sound statements. In order to support each other in these improvisations, each musician must look the inner spirit of their band mates. Musicians learn things about each other on the bandstand that could never be expressed in words. As a result, a general sense of closeness exists among improvising musicians and they maintain a greater awareness about the world around them.

Mario Rivera built a strong spirituality within the Latin Jazz community through his extensive performance career, and after he passed, many of those musicians paid him tribute through music. There’s really no better way to express the true connection musicians build throughout their relationship. Words express ideas, but music paints an emotional picture without barriers. A true improviser bares his or her soul and their feelings from the past and present, and their message can reach a spiritual plane. Hopefully, these messages of appreciation reached Rivera in that spiritual plane, and he knows that we all will remember his legacy.

Check out the links below to see video of tributes to Mario Rivera from:

Papo Vazquez

Steve Turre

Bobby Porcelli

For more on Mario Rivera, check out:
Mario Rivera, 1939 - 2007
Mario Rivera Tenor Sax Solo on Mambo Diablo
Mario Rivera: The True Multi-Instrumentalist

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