Mark Rivera (born May 24, 1953) is an American saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, singer, musical director, and corporate entertainment provider who is mostly known for his work with Billy Joel. In addition to playing soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone, Rivera's musical abilities encompass vocals, guitar, bass, flute, percussion, hammer and chromium steel pipe, and keyboards.
Mark Rivera | |
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_(53032753148)_(cropped).jpg) Rivera in 2023 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | May 24, 1953 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Rock, pop |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Member of | Billy Joel Band |
| Formerly of | Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band |
Early life
editMark Rivera was born in Brooklyn, New York, and attended the High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan. His mother is American and his father is a Puerto Rican American.
Career
editRivera's first national exposure came with the band Tycoon in the mid 1970s. From this venture he met the legendary producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange. Lange, as part of an association with Mick Jones and Lou Gramm of Foreigner, introduced Rivera to the "big leagues" of rock music, recording and performing.
Over the years, Rivera has worked with Hall & Oates, Peter Gabriel on his groundbreaking So album (where Rivera played on "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time"), Simon & Garfunkel, John Lennon, Billy Ocean, and Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh.
Rivera has played with Billy Joel and his band since 1982, replacing Richie Cannata.
In 1995, Rivera joined Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, with which he would continue for several tours.
In 2014, Rivera released his first solo album, Common Bond,[1][2] which includes appearances by Joel, Starr, Nils Lofgren and Steve Lukather.[3] The song "Money Money Money" was a finalist for 2014's Coolest Song in the World on Little Steven's Underground Garage.[4][5]
In February 2023, Rivera released his autobiography, Sideman: In Pursuit of the Next Gig.[6]
Musical director
editRivera's work as a musical director has gained recognition from his association with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, Billy Joel and Elton John. In 2007, he was musical director for "Dear Mr. Fantasy: A Celebration for Jim Capaldi" featuring Steve Winwood, Joe Walsh, Paul Weller, Pete Townshend and Jon Lord.[7] He has also developed a growing career in promoting and producing corporate entertainment and related events. His company, The Mark Rivera Entertainment Group, has produced events for HBO, IBM, Merrill Lynch, AT&T, Coldwell Banker, Northwest Airlines and numerous trade associations, charitable events, and local/national educational groups.
Endorsements
editRivera's professional endorsements include Yamaha Saxophones,[8] Fender, AMT Microphones,[9] Eventide, and Korg USA.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Mark Rivera – Common Bond". Discogs.
- ^ Ragogna, Mike (April 11, 2014). "A Conversation with Mark Rivera". HuffPost.
- ^ "Mark Rivera, Longtime Billy Joel and Ringo Starr Collaborator, Releases Debut Album on Tuesday". ABC News Radio. February 18, 2014.
- ^ "The Coolest Songs in the World 2014". Underground Garage. January 5, 2015. Archived from the original on January 17, 2015.
- ^ Mettler, Mike (December 10, 2014). "Mark Rivera on His Uncommon Bond With Vinyl". Sound & Vision.
- ^ Klein, Tara (April 12, 2023). "Ringo Starr: 'I Got Lucky When Mark Joined The Band'". Spin. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
- ^ Ayers, Chris (November 22, 2007). "Dear Mr. Fantasy: A Celebration for Jim Capaldi". Exclaim!.
- ^ "Mark Rivera". Yamaha Corporation.
- ^ "Mark Rivera". Applied Microphone Technology.
External links
edit- Official website
- Mark Rivera at IMDb
- Barry, John (January 24, 2017). "Mark Rivera: From Billy Joel and Ringo Starr to Woodstock for a Traffic jam". Poughkeepsie Journal.
- Reavy, Pat (November 27, 2017). "Meet Mark Rivera, Billy Joel's sax man for the past 36 years". Deseret News. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017.
- Rodman, Sarah (June 21, 2014). "Five Mark Rivera tunes you probably know well". Boston Globe.
- Warner, Denise (January 8, 2017). "Mark Rivera Brings the '60s and the '70s to the Billboard Lounge at Barclays Center". Billboard.
