music.wikisort.org - Musician

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 saxophones, Rivera's musical abilities encompass vocals, guitar, bass, flute, percussion, hammer and chromium steel pipe, and keyboards.

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Mark Rivera
Rivera live with Billy Joel in 2008
Background information
Born	(1953-05-24) May 24, 1953 (age 69) Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres	Rock, pop
Occupation(s)	Musician singer musical director
Instrument(s)	Saxophone vocals guitar percussion keyboards
Member of	Billy Joel Band
Formerly of	Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band

Early life

Mark 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

Rivera'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, Tycoon, 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]

Musical director

Rivera'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 the Musical Director for "Dear Mr. Fantasy: A Celebration for Jim Capaldi" along with Steve Winwood, Joe Walsh, Paul Weller, Pete Townshend and Jon Lord.[6] 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

Rivera's professional endorsements include Yamaha Saxophones,[7] Fender, AMT Microphones,[8] Eventide, and Korg USA.

See also

• Billy Joel Band

References

External links

• 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.
• 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.

На других языках

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- [en] Mark Rivera

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[es] Mark Rivera

Mark Rivera (Brooklyn, Estados Unidos, 24 de mayo de 1952) es un multiinstrumentista, músico y director musical estadounidense conocido principalmente por su trabajo con Billy Joel. Además de tocar el saxofón como instrumento principal, Rivera también toca la guitarra, instrumentos de percusión y los teclados.

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