Dave Rivello (b. 1953)

Biography

Dave Rivello is a trombonist, composer, and arranger who has worked with numerous big bands throughout his career. He studied at University of North Texas before establishing himself professionally. Rivello has arranged for various ensembles while maintaining an active performing career. His arrangements combine traditional big band values with contemporary approaches, demonstrating that mainstream big band arranging remains vital when executed at high levels. Rivello’s work features clear structures, exciting development, and professional craftsmanship. He represents professional mainstream arrangers continuing big band traditions through quality work that honors jazz history while remaining fresh and engaging. His contributions show that dedicated practitioners sustain big band jazz through consistent excellence.

Musical Style

Rivello’s arranging style combines traditional big band values with contemporary approaches, featuring clear structures, strong melodies, and effective orchestration. His arrangements demonstrate solid understanding of large ensemble dynamics and professional craftsmanship. What distinguishes Rivello’s work is its balance of tradition and freshness—his charts honor big band heritage while sounding contemporary. His voicings are sophisticated yet clear, incorporating contemporary harmonies while maintaining traditional big band power and swing. Rivello’s harmonic language balances bebop foundations with modern touches. His style emphasizes musical communication and exciting development, creating arrangements that engage both musicians and audiences. Rivello’s work represents professional mainstream arranging: technically excellent, musically substantial, and consistently reliable.

Orchestration Techniques

Rivello’s voicing approach centers on traditional four-way close position with lead trumpet carrying the melody, supported by lower brass in mechanically constructed drop voicings that ensure clarity and power. His sectional writing emphasizes block scoring in the Basie tradition, where the entire brass section moves in rhythmic unison with independent saxophone counterlines providing textural contrast. Soli passages employ five-part saxophone voicings with the baritone doubling the lead alto at the octave below, creating full-bodied section sound without muddiness. Instrumental combinations follow proven formulas: trombones in tight close position for shout choruses, trumpets voiced in fourths for modal passages, and saxophones utilizing thickened lines with added tensions for harmonic richness. Contrapuntal writing focuses on call-and-response patterns between brass and saxophone sections, with occasional two-part counterpoint between lead trumpet and lead alto creating melodic interplay. Register treatment is conservative but effective: lead trumpet operates primarily in the staff (written G4-C6), trombones work their comfortable middle range, and saxophones exploit their most resonant registers. Rhythmic devices include swing eighth-note interpretation with strategic anticipations, section kicks on off-beats, and pyramid dynamics where sections enter sequentially on successive beats. Textural approaches alternate between full ensemble tutti passages and stripped-down rhythm section breaks, creating dynamic contrast through orchestral reduction. Rivello favors the standard 5-4-4 configuration with optional fifth trumpet for high-note specialists. His dynamic architecture builds through accumulated section entrances culminating in fortissimo shout choruses, followed by sudden drops to piano for contrast. The signature technique involves guide-tone voicings where inner voices move by step while outer voices leap, creating smooth harmonic motion with traditional big band impact.

Top Albums

Professional Big Band Work

Rivello’s arrangements for various professional big bands demonstrate his gifts for contemporary large ensemble writing. His charts feature strong swing feeling, sophisticated harmonies, and exciting orchestration. What makes these arrangements valuable is their consistent quality and professional execution—Rivello delivers reliable, well-crafted work. His understanding of big band dynamics and his gifts for clear, effective writing make his arrangements successful across various contexts.

Traditional Jazz with Contemporary Edge

Rivello’s work balancing tradition and contemporary approaches demonstrates his understanding of big band jazz’s continuum. His arrangements honor historical precedents while bringing fresh perspectives. What’s particularly notable is Rivello’s ability to write music that satisfies both traditional jazz audiences and progressive musicians—his work bridges different jazz constituencies. This demonstrates skilled arranging’s power to unite rather than divide.

Sustained Professional Excellence

Rivello’s career demonstrates sustained quality over decades, representing the many arrangers whose consistent work maintains big band jazz. His continued contributions ensure the tradition remains living rather than historical. What makes this work important is its demonstration that jazz vitality depends on dedicated professionals maintaining high standards. Rivello represents arrangers whose reliable excellence sustains jazz at all levels.