Mario Rivera

Mario Rivera was a highly skilled Latin jazz saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist from the Dominican Republic, born in 1939 in Santo Domingo. He moved to New York City in his early twenties, where he became an integral figure in the Latin jazz scene. Rivera showcased tremendous versatility, playing saxophone as well as trumpet, flute, piano, vibraphone, congas, and drums. Throughout his career, he collaborated with notable artists such as Tito Rodríguez, Mongo Santamaria, Eddie Palmieri, Machito, and Tito Puente, and was part of iconic groups like Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nations Orchestra and Chico O’Farrill’s Afro-Cuban Jazz Band. His solo album, *El Comandante*, highlights his talent and was released in the mid-1990s. Rivera also appeared in influential Latin music films including *Calle 54* and *The Mambo Kings* before passing away in 2007.

More recently, the name Mario Rivera is also associated with releases like *Tornare (Colonna sonora originale)* from 2020 and *Ho visto Nina volare*, which suggest involvement in soundtrack and jazz projects, but these appear to be distinct from the late saxophonist Mario Rivera.