Albert Rivera is a saxophonist, composer, bandleader, adjunct professor at SUNY Purchase, clinician and Director Of Operations at Litchfield Performing Arts.

Born in the Bronx, NY, Albert Rivera’s musical journey began early on and flourished at Laguardia High School for Performing Arts in New York City. Albert has won awards as both a sideman and a leader. He won the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award in 2009, the 2012 Chamber Music American Residency Grant and most recently the 2021 New York City Artist Corps Grant. Critics have called him “a modern Jazz Messenger.”

As a performer, he has appeared in his hometown of New York in venues like Zinc Bar, Smalls Jazz Club, and the Blue Note. His collaborators have included Don Braden, Jimmy Greene, Claudio Roditi, Avery Sharpe, Rachel Z, and legendary pianist Junior Mance. At the Litchfield Jazz Camp and Jazz Festival, where he is the current Director of Operations, he often appears with his own group and faculty stars like Matt Wilson, Paul Bollenback and Dave Stryker.

DownBeat Magazine reported on his successful, inventive approach to career building in its March 2016 issue in “Enterprising Energy” by Ken Micallef. Critic Elliott Simon wrote “Rivera’s compositions are diverse (and his) musicians hit the pocket and sustain a powerful group dynamic.” Tony Hall, of Jazz Wise Magazine, added “Rivera has a timeless tone.”

Presented by Litchfield Jazz & New England Arts & Entertainment