Tony Rivera

Tony is very professional, and very talented! Verena loves him and can't wait to have Tony back!

Dear Tony,

I strongly endorse Tony Rivera as a dynamic, highly creative master pop/rock/flamenco/folk/classical guitarist and lead tenor vocalist.

I received a Master’s Degree from the Juilliard School in 1986 in voice, and he and I worked on an every-week basis at progressive churches & concerts from 2007-2020 (only due to his relocation to Norfolk, Virginia are we not working regularly together). The lines of people wishing to meet him after church events & concerts are so long afterwards that he typically does not leave events for more than 90 minutes or more. 

I have never been so amazed with an artist as with Mr. Rivera attending his 1-man show for three hours without intermission, during which he played & sang high-energy guitar AND high tenor vocals. He also led his ‘Tony Rivera Band’ to highly frequent, successful appearances over 20 years.

His guitar touch & creativity is so authentic, that it just penetrates the soul of anyone listening to him. And he sings tenor fearlessly with all of his soul. Every note he produces is an inspired one, and never lets anyone in the audience down.

His mastery of incredibly rapid finger techniques in all major and minor scales, widely varied strum technique in so many different styles, understanding of audio production and vocal-instrumental microphone usage, as well as soulful improvised countermelodies is unmatched in my experience (& he has been a true resource to me!).

Roberto Sabastiani
Juilliard School, MMusic, 1986

I had the chance to see Tony perform live with his band at an arts festival in Sugarloaf, NY, and it was such a fun, unforgettable experience. His flamenco-influenced guitar playing brought a fresh, dynamic energy to every song. With songs like “Black Magic Woman”, “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue”, and “Not Fade Away,” Tony’s performance was full of passion, precision, and personality. He has a real gift for connecting with the audience and making each moment on stage feel alive. A truly talented and memorable performer.

Sharing the stage with Tony Rivera was an absolute pleasure and a highlight of each year that we performed together. As a fellow musician, I can confidently say that Tony brings not only talent, but also heart, soul, and a genuine love for music to every note he plays and sings.

Tony’s voice is rich, expressive, and effortlessly soulful—he has that rare ability to connect with an audience from the very first lyric. Whether he’s delivering a powerful ballad or an upbeat crowd favorite, his vocal control and emotional delivery are top-tier. Add to that his skillful, rhythmic guitar work, and you’ve got a performer who is both dynamic and incredibly engaging to watch.

Beyond the music, Tony is collaborative, professional, and a joy to work with. He listens, adapts, and knows how to elevate a performance by supporting fellow artists on stage. His energy is infectious and his passion for live performance shines through every moment he's in the spotlight.

If you ever get the chance to perform with, or see Tony Rivera live, don’t miss it! Tony brings the vibe, every time. He’s the real deal—talented, genuine, and an all-around class act.

— Lisa Gordon, Singer, Fellow Performer