Ray Rivera

Brooklyn, New York, USA

Ray Rivera has a rich musical history in all fields of music. Whatever kind of music you mention, Ray's name is sure to pop up among them. He has written and has had his music recorded by all kinds of artists world wide, such as Hank Jones, Billy Taylor, Cal Tjader, Art Mooney, Eddie Palmieri, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Joe Williams, Pucho and the Latin Soul Brothers, Claus Ogerman, Gale Garnett, Donald Byrd, Ramsey Lewis Trio, Enzo Stuarti, Los Cinco Latinos, and many others. Ray Rivera - Awards: 1980 Grammy nominee for album "Let Me Hear Some Jazz"; 1989 Universal Leadership Foundation Award for Past Achievements of Excellence, Outstanding Leadership, and Humanitarian Services to the Community, State and Nation 1990; World of Poetry Award of Merit for poem, "Free America." Ray Rivera is also an ASCAP composer and was honored as Golden Poet for the year 1990.

The Library

I've traveled the world
through books I've read
at the public library.
I learned of continents and their cultures
of people I've never met
by reading books
at the public library.
Read about philosophies, art, music
and of medical wonders
by reading books
at the public library.
There is so much to learn
and the learning is free
so take a tip from me
and read a book
at the public library.

Youthful Gray

Even though my hair is gray
I'm full of life in every way.
I never say I wish I were young
'cause I'm youthful gray in every way.
Negativity is not a part of me
I do positive affirmations every day.
My health is good; my mind is clear.
My youthfulness gives me the will
To erase all stress from within
And keep my mind on a healthful trip.
I never feel that I'm getting old
I'm only getting mellow, like vintage wine
Who's taste gets better with time.
So when your hair starts turning gray
Don't think of it as getting old.
Just think of it as youthful gray.

Jazz

Jazz! Blue Monk Played by Thelonious Monk, Jazz! Lady Day Singing
'Bout her "Lover Man" Jazz! Stan Getz and the Girl from Ipanema, Hey dig
Jackie Williams, Mr. Cool himself beatin' time on "Caravan" Jazz! Hank
Jones, piano playing is such a delight, have you heard Horace Silver
playing "Song for my Father" or Billy Taylor play "Ray's Tune" as only he can. Jazz! Lester Young leaps in with his cool, cool sound. Jazz! Ella sings 'bout the moon, while Dakota Staton tells you of the late, late show. Jazz! Count Basie is down for the count. Cause Joe Williams has the blues. Jazz! I've got a hunch that's John Bunch on that Edgar Samson tune. Jazz! Have you taken a trip on route 66, with Nat King Cole 'cause if you haven't Duke Ellington will take you for a ride on the A Train. Jazz! Major Holly, Slam Stewart, Milt Hinton, Richard Davis, Ray Brown, Red Mitchele - Can you picture them all playin' together, Jazz! Feet tapping to the drum beat of Papa Jo Jones, Ray Mosca, Cozy Cole, Percy Brice, Art Blakely, Buddy Rich, Louie Belson, Max Roach. The beat goes on and on. Jazz! The guitar of Gene Bertoncini, on a soulful Bossa Nova, Kenny Burrell, Playin' the Blues, Wes doing it his way, the rhythm of Freddy Green. Jazz! Paul Desmond takin'five while Yard Bird Charlie Parker let's you know that now's the time for jazz. There are so many past and present who have given to this great American art from we call Jazz.