About Me
The Dave Rivello Ensemble was formed in 1993 by composer/conductor Dave Rivello as a vehicle for his original work. The 12-piece ensemble includes a standard jazz rhythm section (piano, bass, drums) three reed players and six brass (including flugelhorn and tuba). The scope of Rivello’s music encompasses the jazz tradition and modern classical music, creating a unique blend of improvised and notated music. Rivello’s compositions have been referred to as ‘dreaming in color’. In addition to having held a weekly gig for several years, they have performed at the Rochester International Jazz Festival, performed with Bob Brookmeyer, held a week long residency at Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady New York, performed at Cornell University, the Monroe Community College Jazz Festival, the Coudersport Fine Arts Festival, perform an annual concert in Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School of Music, have appeared several times on the Bop Shop record store’s concert series, and WGMC’s ‘Meet The Artist’ series. The ensemble includes some of the best musicians in Rochester, and is continuing to be more in demand for festivals and clinics. Dave Rivello was voted ‘Best Big Band Leader’ by City newspaper for his work with this ensemble.
Dave Rivello is a freelance composer, arranger and bandleader based in Upstate New York. He leads a 12- piece ensemble (The Dave Rivello Ensemble) that is his main orchestral voice. He has served as composer-in-residence at a number of schools, writing for their ensembles and giving clinics and private lessons. His residencies have been sponsored by Meet The Composer, Harvard Project Zero, and The New York Council of the Arts. He has written for and been commissioned by: The Smithsonian Institute, Oklahoma State University, The Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, The Penfield Symphony Orchestra, The Penfield Music Commission Project, The Youngstown State University Jazz Ensemble, Bobby McFerrin, David Taylor, Phil Woods, Gene Bertoncini, Randy Brecker, Jiggs Whigham, Billy Hart, The Bill Kirchner Nonet, Regina Carter, James Carter, Claudia Acuna , the Airmen of Note, Kevin Mahogany, Russell Malone and many others. His music has been widely performed throughout the U.S. as well as in Germany and Spain. He also directs the award winning New Jazz Ensemble at the Eastman School of Music.
He has studied composition and arranging with Bob Brookmeyer, Bill Holman, Manny Albam, Rayburn Wright, Bill Dobbins and Sam D’Angelo. He holds degrees from The Eastman School of Music and The Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University.
His music is currently being published by Alfred Publications, Advance Music in Germany, UNC Jazz Press, GIA Publications, and The Penfield Music Commission Project.
What the musicians are saying . . .
"Dave Rivello is a welcome and needed addition to the shrinking core of original and skilled voices in composition for jazz orchestra. A talent that will only grow and flourish. He was my student over the past 10 years so I know what I’m talking about!"
Bob Brookmeyer - composer, trombonist, bandleader
"Dave Rivello’s writing is compelling and beautiful. This music needs to be heard!"
Maria Schneider - composer, bandleader
"This band has attracted the ears of everyone around, since the band sounds like they are playing In New York City rather than New York State."
Harold Danko- Pianist, Eastman School of Music jazz department chairman
"The writing and playing of this ensemble is so good, I have decided to quit both playing and writing (not really)."
Kenny Wheeler- composer, trumpet
"Dave Rivello is part of a new compositional generation, the future should be good!"
Fred Hess – saxophonist, composer
Read an Ensemble review at One Final Note.
