Up Close and Personal with Percussionist Little Johnny Rivero

Master percussionist, producer, songwriter, and bandleader  Little Johnny Rivero has performed all over North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the South Pacific. The New Yorker, born to Puerto Rican parents, was drawn to Latin jazz and the sounds and rhythms of the rumbero players in the NYC area at a young age. Aged 10, Rivero started practicing percussion and joined his school band.  He took dance lessons, which eventually led to performances on stage with the bands of the era at venues such as the Copacabana, Manhattan Center, the Colgate Garden, and the Palladium. At age only 14, Rivero joined Orquesta Colon, the youngest Latin band in New York City, and recorded two albums with them.

Since then Little Johnny Rivero has appeared on and produced many great albums. His latest, titled ‘Golpe Duro’, was released in October this year. Occhi’s Darryl Yokley had the opportunity to catch up with him about his career, album, and much more! For further information, or to purchase your copy visit

• https://www.littlejohnnyrivero.com
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• Facebook

About Author

Darryl Yokley

Saxophonist Darryl Yokley came onto the New York scene in 2009 and has established himself as a unique voice with his playing and composing. Whether he is performing locally or internationally, he is always looking to communicate to audiences no matter what genre it is. Yokley has performed for music legend Quincy Jones as well playing with Motown legends The Four Tops, The Temptations, The O’ Jays and singer-songwriter Rhonda Ross. He performs as a classical soloist and chamber music and leads his own jazz quartet, Sound Reformation,
which is comprised of Zaccai Curtis on piano, Luques Curtis on bass, and Wayne Smith Jr. on drums.

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