Albert Rivera

Gorry put together a 10-piece band to be Morris' instrument. The back line consisted of Jeff Cedrone and Gorry on guitars, David Chevan on upright bass, John O'Reilly on electric bass, and Steve Zieminski on drums are all members of the NHIC, among several other projects. (Chevan is in the Afro-Semitic Experience and leads Southern Connecticut State University's improvisational Creative Music Orchestra, and Zieminski plays in Prester John.) Trumpeter Stephen Haynes is a Hartford stalwart who has played with the likes of Cecil Taylor. Louis Guarino Jr., also on trumpet, and Paul McGuire on soprano sax were recruited from among the jazz players in the area. Albert Rivera is a fearsome young tenor sax player from the Bronx; he has his own quartet there, but came up to work with Butch. - Brain Slattery

I have been listening to Albert Rivera’s new CD – Hope and Faith. I first leaned about Albert and his music through my blog, writing about the Litchfield Jazz Festival. Albert is the Assistant Musical Director there and he contacted me after I did a post on the event. He was kind enough to send me this new CD with no obligation to review it but since I think is a very nice set, I want to mention this work.

Albert plays Tenor Sax with Warren Fields on piano, Luques Curtis on bass, and Adam Christgau on drums. In addition to a number of long sax riffs by Albert, there is some fine piano work, and the bass and drums lay a good foundation. For example, Albert and Warren trade off nicely on “Until the Big Easy Speaks Again” and then blend together well toward the end. All of the pieces have a nice flow like some of Coltrane. Albert wrote and arranged most of them. I recommend this work. Here is a chance to get an early CD by someone who might gain greater recognition.
- Bill Ives -web Blog