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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZRIVERA, Ismael(b 5 October 1931, Santurce, Puerto Rico; d there 13 May 1987, Santurce) Singer, bandleader, composer, producer, percussionist. Magnificent husky voice and distinctive improvisational vocal style earned him title 'El Sonero Mayor' -- 'The Greatest Latin Singer'. Began singing at age 13-14 with a friend, the percussionist Kako, and started his pro career in 1951 with Lito Peña's Orquesta Panamericana, with whom he had big hit 'El Charlatán' '54 (included on Orquesta Panamericana Vol. 1 on Ansonia); the same year, he sang lead on old school friend Rafael Cortijo's classic hit 'El Bombon de Elena'. As the star lead singer of Cortijo's Combo he appeared on a string of albums on Seeco/Tropical, including Invites You To Dance/Los Invita A Bailar, Baile Con Cortijo y su Combo and Cortijo y su Combo, all 1950s, and Gema: Cortijo En New York, Fiesta Boricua, Bueno, Y Que?, Quitate de la Via, Perico and Danger '59-61. After Los Internacionales '62 on Marvela, Rivera's partnership with Cortijo was interrupted by a prison term for cocaine possession; they reunited on two Tico albums: he wrote seven of twelve tracks on Bienvenido!/Welcome! '66, also headlined on Con Todos Los Hierros (Everything But The Kitchen Sink!) c.'67. He had a deep religious experience '67 while visiting the home of the Black Christ in Portobello, Panama. He fronted own nine-piece band Los Cachimbos on De Colores '68, Controversia c.'69; made Lo Ultimo En La Avenida '71 with Kako and his band, co-arranged by veteran Cuban pianist/arranger Javier Vázquez (b 8 April 1936, Matanzas Province, Cuba; he worked on Rivera's remaining albums and later became musical director of Los Cachimbos); Esto Fu‚ Lo Que Trajo El Barco and Vengo Por La Maceta '72-3 with Los Cachimbos. Traigo de Todo '74 included Alfredo 'Chocolate' Armenteros on trumpet. He reunited with Cortijo y su Combo on Coco '74, reissued '82 as Ismael Rivera Sonero No. 1. Ismael Rivera y sus Cachimbos performed 'Sale El Sol (Dormi Contigo)' at Carnegie Hall '74, included on Tico-Alegre All Stars Live At Carnegie Hall Vol. 1 on Tico, which was absorbed by Fania/Vaya mid-'70s; Rivera switched to Vaya for Soy Feliz '75; best-of Eclipse Total on Tico same year as well as Xmas LP Feliz Navidad, produced by Louie Ramirez. De Todas Maneras Rosas '77, Esto Si Es Lo Mio '78 were on Tico with Vázquez; Rivera duetted with Celia Cruz on Fania All Stars Live '78; Oro '79 on Tico was a compilation; last LP with Los Cachimbos was Maelo '80, produced by Rivera. He sang on FAS LP Latin Connection '81; Legend '84 was a compilation. He stopped singing in the early 1980s because of polyps on his vocal cords. |