Albert Rivera

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, during those summer months he spent his time at Harlem School of the Arts and eventually at the Litchfield Jazz Camp, which would eventually create a life long partnership. After finishing his studies at the New School University Jazz and Contemporary Music Conservatory, he began a career that sees him today, as a seasoned performer, educator (Adjunct Professor at SUNY Purchase) and producer.  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 America Residency Grant and most recently the 2021 New York City Artist Corps Grant. Critics have called him “a modern Jazz Messenger.” Rivera is equally at home on soprano, alto and tenor saxophones and has a distinctive style he says was influenced by jazz greats like John Coltrane and Joe Henderson. Downbeat Magazine has called saxophonist Albert Rivera “part of the next wave in this jazz ritual,”  and WNPR critic Owen McNally,  “A modern Jazz Messenger.”   He is a recipient of the Chamber Music America Residency Award, an ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award and a New York City Arts Corp Grant. He is Director of Operations at Litchfield Jazz Camp and serves on the Jazz Faculty at SUNY Purchase College.  Albert continues to be a dedicated mentor to scores of young musicians and performs upwards of 200 gigs annually as a guest soloist and as a leader.