Sam Rivers RIP

[Head Man]

This is VERY sad news! It's not been a good year.....

[sidewinder]

I was really hoping that he would get to do another tour over the pond like the one of 5-6 years ago. At least we have the recordings though - and what a great legacy that is.

[RiRiIII]

RIP.

[Stereojack]

A magnificent musician and a true original.

[Hardbopjazz]

God damn. How sad this is.

Rest in Peace Sam. Thanks for the music you gave the world.

[jazzbo]

Ah Sam, I'm so happy I got to shake your hand and share a few words with you. What a talent, what experiences, what leadership. RIP.

[mjzee]

And let's not forget his contribution of Studio Rivbea and the loft scene.

[J.A.W.]

Very sad, he was truly one of the greats.

[Guy Berger]

RIP Sam. You never quite got the recognition due to you, but it was appreciated over here.

[Leeway]

Sam Rivers = artistic integrity and wonderful music.

[colinmce]

When I think of Sam Rivers I think of an open mind and soul. It's a trait all too rare and is his lasting legacy.

[JohnT]

I was very fortunate to see him with the RivBea Orchestra just this past October in DeLand, Florida. He seemed very frail and he didn't play a lot but he still pulled off some great solos when he did play. The band was really great and it was definitely the live band highlight for me this past year.

RIP Sam --Thanks for all the great music!!!

[B. Goren.]

What a sad news. My first order from Mosaic when I discovered this label in 1997 (or maybe 98) was his complete BN recordings.

RIP Mr. Rivers.

[BeBop]

I had a weird thing going with my travels. I seemed to cross the paths of two musicians often, and several others rarely. The two that I had many opprtunties to see were Kenny G and Sam Rivers. I took advantage of those opportunities with Sam Rivers...to the point that he actually recognized me in large crowds. I'm grateful for all his music, live or through recordings. Nice guy.

(My apologies for the entirely too-loose use of the word "musician" with respect to Kenny G.)

[Pete C]

It's a testament to Sam that so many of us considered him a friend, even if our encounters were casual. I was a regular at Rivbea when I was 18-19, and it was like being a guest in Sam & Bea's home, which it was indeed. Sam was always warm and cordial, and had total integrity as an artist. I had the opportunity to chat with him about the Rivbea days at Iridium a few years back, and I was thrilled to see his reunion at Columbia with Holland and Altschul. I'm on the verge of tears, and only recently the death of Joe Lee Wilson, who I knew under similar circumstances, hit me just as hard. But Sam had an amazingly long and artistically successful career, and we're all richer for it.

[brownie]

Sam Rivers died Monday Night in Orlando.

The local newspaper reports his passing away in its edition today.

The Orlando Sentinel

[John Tapscott]

I saw Sam and his trio for the first and only time in concert about 6 or 7 years ago. It was a very good concert. While Sam would not be among the musicians I listen to often, I very much enjoy the Mosaic set, which I heard again not long ago. I'll have to listen to Miles in Tokyo later on today. RIP Sam Rivers and thank you.

[.:.impossible]

I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to shake his hand, introduce myself to him, and thank him for his music.

[king ubu]

Very sad news. Thanks for all the music, r.i.p. Sam.

Thanks brownie for sharing that wonderful photo!

[papsrus]

Sad news. I'm not intimately familiar with Mr. Rivers' music, but certainly love 'Contours' and 'Fuchsia Swing Song,' and will be listening today. Was looking forward to a scheduled performance here in Sarasota in a couple of months.

RIP

[Teasing the Korean]

Saw him live about 4 or 5 years ago. Great show. RIP.

Edited December 27, 2011 by Teasing the Korean

[Noj]

I own very few recordings by Mr. Rivers, but I enjoy what I've got. One of many I haven't gotten around to really collecting. It is heart-warming and refreshing to read that the man was not only an exceptional musician but a kind and charismatic person. Talk about leaving the proper legacy, it sounds like Sam was the type of person everyone should hope to be.

[DTMX]

Wow, this one hurts. Sam Rivers was the coolest person I have ever met. Glad I got to see him perform and speak with him a couple of times.

[skeith]

Just got the bad news. He was one of my favorite tenor players and composers.

[Dan Gould]

Noj really sums it up for me. I didn't find a lot of entry points into his music but I respect those who found so much to enjoy in it, and the descriptions of the man himself really tell an admirable story. RIP.