Mario Rivera

Mario Rivera endures among the most gifted saxophonists in Latin jazz -- a virtuoso talent equally proficient on tenor, soprano, alto, and baritone, he remains best remembered for his two-decade association with the legendary Tito Puente. Born July 22, 1939, in the Dominican Republic, he relocated from his native Santo Domingo to New York City in 1961, first working behind Puerto Rican vocalist Joe Valle. From 1963 to 1965, Rivera tenured in support of bandleader Tito Rodriguez -- in the years to follow, he gigged behind Latin giants including Machito, Eddie Palmieri, and Mong...