Mon Rivera
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Biography
EfraÃn Rivera Castillo (May 25, 1924 â March 12, 1978), widely known as Mon Rivera, was a prominent Puerto Rican bandleader celebrated for his contributions to plena, salsa, and Latin jazz. Born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, he was the son of Monserrate "Don Mon" Rivera Alers, a revered plena composer. Don Mon's socially conscious and humorous plenas, such as Aló, ¿Quién Ãama?, influenced EfraÃnâs musical journey.
EfraÃn initially gained local fame as a shortstop for the Indios de Mayagüez before pursuing a career in music. A multi-instrumentalist, he performed with various orchestras, popularizing his father's plenas and composing his own. His groundbreaking use of an all-trombone brass section became a defining element of Afro-Rican orchestra music and later influenced salsa pioneers like Willie Colón.
In 1963, EfraÃn released Que gente averiguá, showcasing his innovative plena-salsa fusion. Struggles with addiction and health issues sidelined him in the 1960s, but a collaboration with Willie Colón on the 1975 album Se Chavó El Vecindario revitalized his career, producing hits like Ya Llegó.
EfraÃn passed away in 1978 in New York City, leaving a lasting legacy in plena and salsa. His innovative trombone sound endures in modern Latin music.
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Albums
Top Tracks
- Track Popularity
- Una Plena
- Ya Llego by Willie Colón
- Pachanga Con Guaguanco
- El Primer Boogaloo
- Oye A Moncho by Mon Rivera / Moncho Leña Y los Ases Del Ritmo
- Carbon de Palito
- El Gato y el Raton
- El Peinao
- Mi Morena
- Seguire Esperando by Mon Rivera / Moncho Leña Y los Ases Del Ritmo
- Húyele al Guardia (Guaracha) by Mon Rivera
- Tizon Prendio by Mon Rivera
- Lily by Mon Rivera / Moncho Leña Y los Ases Del Ritmo
- Fiesta En La Joya by Mon Rivera
- Maina
- MartÃnez Nadal by Mon Rivera
- Música Maestro (Plena) by Mon Rivera
- Que Gente Averigua
- Plebochanga
- La Cuca
- Monina
- Francisquita featuring Mon Rivera
- Como Esta Pita
- Arroyito Christalino featuring Mon Rivera
