Mark Rivera is a musician, musical director and corporate entertainment provider. In addition to playing soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, Rivera's musical talents encompass vocals, guitar, percussion and keyboards.
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Background
Rivera was born in Brooklyn, New York.
Education
Rivera attended the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan.
Career
Rivera's first national exposure came with the band Tycoon in the mid-1970s. From this venture he met - and has since developed - a lasting friendship with 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 "had the pleasure" of working with some of the world's most prominent musicians including performing, touring and recording with: Hall & Oates; Peter Gabriel's ground breaking 'So' album - where Rivera played and arranged the horns for 'Sledgehammer' and 'Big Time'; Simon & Garfunkel; John Lennon; Billy Ocean; Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh; and Kurtis Blow's debut album. Of primary mention is Rivera's association with Billy Joel and his band since the early 1980s. As a contributor to every tour band and many of Joel's recordings since 1982, Rivera has toured throughout the world. In 1995, Rivera was subsequently invited to join Ringo Starr's All Starr Band Tour, which he would continue with on several subsequent tours throughout the years, with a constantly changing roster:
- 1995: Ringo Starr, Randy Bachman, Felix Cavaliere, John Entwistle, Mark Farner, Billy Preston, Zak Starkey
- 1997-98: Ringo Starr, Gary Brooker, Jack Bruce, Peter Frampton, Simon Kirke
- 2000: Ringo Starr, Jack Bruce, Eric Carmen, Dave Edmunds, Simon Kirke
- 2001: Ringo Starr, Sheila E., Greg Lake, Ian Hunter, Howard Jones, Roger Hodgson
- 2003: Ringo Starr, Paul Carrack, Sheila E., Colin Hay, John Waite
Musical Director
Rivera's work as a musical director has gained recognition from his association with Ringo Starr, the Northwest All Star Band, Billy Joel and Elton John. He has also developed a growing career in promoting and producing corporate entertainment and related events. His company, "The Mark Rivera Entertaniment Group", has produced events for HBO, IBM, Merrill Lynch, AT&T, Coldwell Banker, The China Club, Northwest Airlines, Oakwood Corporate Housing, and numerous trade associations, charitable events, and local/national educational groups.
Endorsements
Rivera's professional endorsements include Harman International, Yamaha, Kaman Music and Korg USA.
