-Antonio RIVAS PADILLA was born in Istimina. Colombia, from Adriano RIVAS and Sabina PADILLA.
-Music always played a preponderant place in his family. Completely self-taught, he took up the diatonic accordion at the age of fifteen.
-ln Colombia, he was co-founder of several 'vallenato' groups and got to know many of the great masters of the genre like Alejendro DURAN, Abel Antonio VILLA, Mariano PEREZ, Pablo GARCIA, Emiliano ZULETA, Alfredo GUTIERREZ, Ismael RUDAS ,Pablo LOPEZ and many others musiciens.
-He took a master's degree in mathematics in Colombia and then came in France to prepare his PHD in High Energy Physics and then another master's degree in Computer. In 1984. he created the group Antonio y sus Vallenatos in Montpellier, then in 1987, with Nemesio Jimenes ('EI Condor'). He founded the group Novedad Vallenata in Paris. In Europe, Antonio Rivas takes part in most of the international events involving the diatonic accordion..
Some Rounds
1986-95 The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain
France: Spring of Bourges, the Meetings Int. d' Accordéon of Chartres, Fiesta of Suds in Marseilles, Festival of Mèze, the Volcano in Le Havre, Official reception of the 50ème anniversary of UNESCO to the Town hall - Paris
1995 WOMEX In Brussels - Belgium
1996 Antilliaanse Feesten (B), Pirineos On (ES), Rudolstadt (D), Mundial Festival, Tilburg (NL), Zug (CH)
France:Escales de St Nazaire, Musics on the City at Chalôns en Champagne
1997 Aarhus Festival in Denmark, Picante Festival in Zurich, WOMAD in Reading GB
France: Paris Quartiers d'Eté, Jazz à Luz,
1997: "PASSAT" : Emission Dutch International TV
1999: NET Television : Greek International TV
Discography 1991 : La Perla de Arseguel :Music & Words /MWCD 3002-CD-LP
1995 : El Jardinera Colombiano : Silex - Audivis / B 6803 – CD
1997 : Despierta Corazon : Lilopé / Milan/BMG – CD