Meet Sylvester Rivers | Composer, producer, arranger and pianist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sylvester Rivers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sylvester, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I could say that music chose me, in that I never considered anything else. I believe that musicians are born and not made. While everyone loves music, only musicians feel compelled to join in and generate their own contributions to the musical landscape.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Making music has been my passion since I was seven years old. As I grew older, the challenge has always been balancing the artistic with the commercial. Every artist since Beethoven, and even before, has fought this battle. The answer is persistence, first and second, to initiate your own projects and secure an equity position. I’ve learned that one must be as creative on the financial side as one is one the artistic side.

Every artist is inherently unique and that will always come through, provided one makes music from the heart and avoids the trap of trying too hard to imitate others. I simply want my name to be associated with the best in music and entertainment.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start with the standard Los Angeles tour: Disneyland, Universal Studios tour, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Capitol Studios, Yamashiro Restaurant, the Hollywood sign, the Griffith Park Observatory, Rodeo Drive, Bel-Air, Trousdale Estates, Mr. Chow, Spago, Zuma Beach, Nobu Malibu and Mastro’s Ocean Club.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Sylvester Rivers, Sr and Pauline Rivers, Ray Parker, Jr,, Gene Page, Paul Riser, McKinley Jackson and Holland-Dozier-Holland.

Website: SylvesterRivers.com

Instagram: sylvesterrivers

Other: https://www.discogs.com/artist/377623