Hector Rivera -- bandleader,
piano player, arranger, and composer, and one
of the most renowned performers of Latin soul
-- died on January 7, 2006 at the age of 72
just weeks before his 73rd birthday. He had
suffered for many years from Parkinson's disease.
Rivera's biggest achievement as bandleader
came with the 1966 album "At the Party," featuring
a large band including several trumpet players
and percussionists. He divided his approach
between instrumentals and vocals, employing
several singers. The success of "At the Party" enabled
him to cut several more albums. Rivera continued
to write and arrange, and participated in projects
for Ray Barretto, Machito, and Tito Puente.
|
Hector Rivera
photo with unknown others at a
recording session. Circa
1970s. |
|
In
photo Luis Mangual, Vivianne, Martin
and Matthew Cohen and Hector Rivera, seated.
This photo was taken the day of Tito Puente
's wake on 76th Street in NYC, June 2000. |
|
