Interview With Sergio Rivera of Grupo Caribe
taking the roots of salsa into the modern age...

By: 'LA'Ritmo.com
Jun 1, 2001

'LA'Ritmo.com: When did the band first form?

Sergio Rivera: The band was established in 1996, based in NYC.

'LA'Ritmo.com: Who are the current members and what are their backgrounds?

Sergio Rivera: Grupo Caribe Members:

Sergio Rivera: Band Leader, Pianist
Mr. Rivera has performed with Orestes Vilato y Los Kimbos, Raphael Cortijo y Su Combo, and the Orlando Marin Orchestra.

Luisito Ayala: Lead Vocalist
Mr. Ayala has performed with Eddie Palmieri, The Lebron Brothers, and Raphael Cortijo y Su Combo.

Louis Bauzo: Congas
Mr. Bauzo has performed with Tito Puente, Larry Harlow, and Mongo Santamaria.

Al Acosta: Saxes and Flute
Mr. Acosta has performed with Tito Puente, The Machito Orchestra, and the Ray Santos Big Band.

Tony Barrero: Trumpet
Mr. Barrero has performed with Tito Puente, The Machito Orchestra, and the Mercer Ellington and Count Basie Orchestras.

Gerry Madera: Bass
Mr. Madera has performed with Tito Puente, Los Jovenes Del Barrio, Jose "El Canario" Alberto, and the Ray Santos Big Band.

Papo Pepin: Bongo and Cowbell
Mr. Pepin has performed with Willie Rosario, Roberto Roena, Willie Colon and the Machito Orchestra.

Jose Madera: Timbales
Mr. Madera has been the musical director for the Tito Puente Orchestra for the past 25 years. He has also performed with the Machito Orchestra, and has been contracted to write arrangements for these two bands as well as for Willie Rosario, Jose Mangual, and Grupo Caribe.

Robert Suttman: Trombone
Mr. Suttman has performed with many club date bands throughout the metropolitan area as well as with major Broadway productions such as "CATS," "Miss Saigon" and "Guys and Dolls."

'LA'Ritmo.com: What brought everyone together as one band?

Sergio Rivera: I am the founder and Band Leader. I had the concept of putting together a small ensemble with a big band sound to perform music typical of that played by artist such as Tito Puente, Machito, and Tito Rodriguez. I am fortunate to have some excellent musicians working with me to maintain the traditional sounds of our Latin music. They are all veteran musicians who have performed with the best in the business and are leaders and soloist in their own right.

'LA'Ritmo.com: How would you describe your music and playing style?

Sergio Rivera: Grupo Caribe style is Traditional Salsa, dance music typical of the type of Latin Music that was heard in the 1960's and 1970's. In addition to original compositions and arrangements, included in the band's repertoire are big band Mambos, Cha Cha Cha, Son Montunos, Bomba and Plena, Boleros, Merengue and Latin jazz. The band is a nine member musical ensemble bringing to life songs made popular by Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, Machito, Johnny Pacheco, Ismael Rivera, Raphael Cortijo, El Gran Combo and Los Van Van.

'LA'Ritmo.com: How often do you play live, how can someone check out one of your shows?

Sergio Rivera: Grupo Caribe performs two to three shows weekly throughout the NYC metropolitan area. During the month of June, we are scheduled to perform at Gonzalez Y Gonzalez,the Plaza Hotel, Lincoln Center Midsummer Night Swing Concert Series, the Puerto Rican Day Parade, the Wild Palm, the Flamingo, Club HUSH, Goddard Riverside Church, 200 Fifth Avenue Restaurant and Bar, and Battery Park City. Grupo Caribe is also schedule to perform in Holland and Belgium, and open up of the Gran Combo in France, during the month of July.

'LA'Ritmo.com: What is one of your shows like?

Sergio Rivera: The band definitely makes people want to dance. The percussive rhythms are exciting and the melodic arrangements are pleasing to the listener.

'LA'Ritmo.com: What are your musical influences?

Sergio Rivera: Personally, my influences are Tito Puente, Machito, and Tito Rodriguez, for their big band contributions to our music. I also listened and performed with the great Raphael Cortijo y su Combo. On the piano, my idols include; Charlie and Eddie Palmieri, Peruchin, Joe Loco, Noro Morales, Luisito Benjamin, Papo Luca, Chucho Valdes, Bud Powel, Kenny Barron, and McCoy Tyner. I have also been influenced by Larry Harlow and Ricardo Ray. Arrangers who I admire are Tito Puente, Jose Madera, Jose Febles, Ray Santos, and Gil Lopez.

'LA'Ritmo.com: In terms of the growing popularity of Latin music today, where does your band fit in?

Sergio Rivera: Our band is one of the few bands that continue to play traditional salsa music. Some people refer to this style of music as salsa vieja, or salsa dura. We call it what it is, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Guaracha, Guaguanco, Bomba etc.

'LA'Ritmo.com: How would you rate New York City as a scene for Latin music?

Sergio Rivera: NYC is definitely the premier location to be.

'LA'Ritmo.com: In what ways are you promoting your music?

Sergio Rivera: I promote my band on the web, through Laritmo.com, Latin Beat Magazine, and Radio and TV shows. When I have news about the band, I inform El Diario and other publications interested in informing the public about the Latin scene. We sell Cds at our performances, and are constantly working on creating and performing new material.

'LA'Ritmo.com: What difficulties have you encountered as an independent band? As a Latino band.

Sergio Rivera: The difficulties I have encountered are those that are normal in small business. Having enough capital to continue producing your own projects is always a problem. As an independent, there is also a problem of not getting airplay on the commercial stations that reach millions of people. This has a direct impact on CD sales.

'LA'Ritmo.com: What does the future look like for your band?

Sergio Rivera: I feel like we have been blessed. Our performance schedule has been increasing, and we have been playing a wider variety of venues. I have received calls to perform in Europe and on the West Coast, and look forward to performing in those locations in the near future. We have material ready for our third CD, and I am looking forward to producing and marketing it this year.

Website: www.grupocaribe.net
Contact: Sergio Rivera - 718-499-3029, sergiornv@earthlink.net

See Grupo Caribe live in New York City at the Blue Lounge at Gonzalez y Gonzalez. Check out the schedule of Latin bands.

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Related articles:
| Spotlight on Grupo Caribe - (2000-11-29)
| Salsa, Sweat & Soul: The Best of New York's Latin Scene Today - Shanachie (2000-12-18)