Mon Rivera

b. Efrain Rivera Castillo, 1925, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, d. 12 March 1978, Manhattan, New York City, USA. Band leader, singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist Rivera was a pioneer of the trombone front-line in Latin music; some say he was the pioneer, whereas others maintain that Eddie Palmieri was the originator. However, it is probably their record producer at the time, Al Santiago (founder of Alegre Records), who deserves the credit. Whoever it was, the all trombone sound influenced band leaders like Willie Colón and others, and has been described as the symbol of urban sal...