Jerry Rivera is a Grammy and Latin Grammy nominated Puerto Rican salsa singer from the 1990s who is still active.
Jerry Rivera in New York City
Jerry Rivera sings Puerto Rican salsa at Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey; on Saturday, February 17, 2024. From $55. bergenpac.org 🇵🇷
New York Venues
Rivera has played these venues recently:
- Barclays Center
- Bergen Performing Arts Center
- La Boom
- Palladium Times Square
- Radio City Music Hall
- St. George Theatre
- SummerStage
Jerry Rivera Still Has a Cara de Niño
Gerardo Rivera Rodríguez was born into a musical family in Humacao, Puerto Rico on July 31, 1973. Many great singers come from Humacao.
Rivera turned professional when he was just 14 years old. His nickname then was “El Bebé de la Salsa.” He used to perform with his father at hotels along the beach in Isla Verde.
It was legendary salsa bandleader Tommy Olivencia who suggested that Rivera try a solo career. Before El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico was “La Universidad de la Salsa,” Olivencia’s band launched many careers including Frankie Ruiz, Gilberto Santa Rosa, and others. It was good advice.
Albums
Rivera’s debut album was 1989’s “Empezando a Vivir.”
His third album, “Cuenta Conmigo” (1992), was an award-winning hit in Latin America. It’s one of the best-selling salsa albums ever, and won a Lo Nuestro Award for “Tropical Album of the Year.”
When he sang “Cara de Niño” (baby face) in 1993, Rivera was 20 years old and had a baby face. He still does. The song helped popularize salsa with young people in the 1990s. His song “Qué Hay de Malo” earned a Grammy nomination.
Rivera has done some acting. He had a small role in the 1994 romantic comedy “I Like It Like That” starring Rita Moreno. Many Puerto Rican artists build their audiences on Puerto Rican variety shows and telenovelas. He starred as himself in the 2005 telenovela “Mi Destino Eres Tú.”
The great Puerto Rican singer is loved for hits like “Amores como el nuestro,” “Cara de niño,” “Casí un Hechizo,” and “Que Hay de Malo.”
The trumpet intro to Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” was sampled from the intro to “Amores como el nuestro.”
“Cara de niño, alma de hombre”
Jerry Rivera, “Cara de niño,” (1993)
Follow
jerryrivera.com
X (Twitter) @jerry_rivera
Instagram @jerryrivera
YouTube @jerryriveraoficial