Connect with us

In Memoriam

In Memoriam : Sam Rivers, jazz musician, dies at 88

Sam Rivers, an internationally-known jazz musician who played with Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie, has died. He was 88.

Unheard Voices Magazine logo

Published

on

Sam Rivers, an internationally-known jazz musician who played with Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie, has died.

He was 88.

Monique Rivers Williams confirmed her father passed Monday night from pneumonia.

About Sam Rivers

The Oklahoma native was a saxophonist, flutist and composer.

Rivers started his music career in Boston. There he performed with Herb Pomeroy’s big band, an ensemble that included Quincy Jones.

In 1964, he moved to New York and was hired by Davis. His career took off as he played with an eclectic group of musicians that included Dizzie Gillespie, T-Bone Walker, and John Lee Hooker.

In the early 1990s, Rivers moved to Orlando and regularly played with a group of jazz musicians whose day jobs were at Walt Disney World.

Plans are being made for a public memorial concert.

Copyright © 2026. All Rights Reserved. Unheard Voices Magazine ®

Real stories. Real impact. Straight to your inbox. Join thousands others. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter today!

Follow us on Facebook, X, TikTok, Instagram, News Break
See also  In Memoriam: Gloria Richardson, civil rights pioneer, passes at 99

Unheard Voices, an award-winning, family owned online news magazine, began in 2004 as a community newsletter serving Neptune, Asbury Park, and Long Branch, N.J. Over time, it grew into a nationally recognized Black-owned media outlet. The publication remains one of the few dedicated to covering social justice issues. Its honors include the NAACP Unsung Hero Award and multiple media innovator awards for excellence in social justice reporting and communications.

Archives

Tags

unheard voices shop
unheard voices on google play unheard voices on itunes

Trending