Emedin Rivera was born in the Bronx

NY, and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico. He started playing the bongos at the age of 8, and his exposure and passion for music came from his father and uncle who both played in a trio in Puerto Rico. Emedin has a unique and creative ability to incorporate and blend his latin Caribbean african influences into a vast array of musical styles. Emedin has developed his own system of playing drums and congas simutaneously, (sounding like three people), calling it "Percussion Kit". Emedin is well known for his sound effects, many of which are hand made by him. They can be heard on some of the National Geographic shows. Emedin has performed live with Harry Belafante, Gregory Hines, Paquito De Rivera, Vicky Sue Robinson, Angela Bofill, Gloria Gaynor, Ben E King, Dave Samuels, Dave Valentine, Andy Narell, and Latoya Jackson just to name a few. He has recorded live with Larry Coryell, Bob James, Chuck Mangione, Nelson Rangell, Harry Belafonte, Maria Schneider, Rick Cua, Denise Williams and many others. Emedin has also played on a few movie soundtracks, such as Sixteen Blocks, Tough Turf, End of Night and more. Emedin's commercial credits are Anheiser Bush, Mercedes Benz, Visa, Seven Up, Crest Tooth paste and more.

PERFORMANCES/ TOURS:
Harry Belafonte, Latoya Jackson, Ace of Base,
Gregory Hines, Maxwell, Eileen Ivers
Paquito De Rivera, Noel Pointer, Milira,
Gato Barbieri, Vicky Sue Robinson, Cristina Pegoraro,
Jon Lucien, Cheo Feliciano, Rick Cua,
Dave Valentine, Marion Meadows, Mary Wilson,
Dave Samuels, Michael Bolton, Tom Brown,
George Howard, Triplets, Roland Vazquez,
Angela Bofiel, Andy Narell, Menudo,
Ben E. King, Gloria Gaynor, The System,
Lucesita Benitez, Bob Baldwin, Charro

RECORDINGS:
Larry Coryell, Eileen Ivers, Marion Meadows,
Bob James, Milira, Noel Pointer,
Harry Belafonte, Clyde Criner, Top Priority,
Chuck Mangione, Members Only Jeans, Wendelboe,
Roland Vazquez, The Belmonts, Jeanine Carter,
Tom Brown Percussion, Works NYC, Baysix,
Nelson Rangell, Black Ivory, Top Banana,
Sweet Sensation, Bob Halligan, Jr. Bob Baldwin,
Kim Pensyl, Joanie Madden, Rick Cua,
Tommy Igoe, Sachi Hayasaka, Maria Schneider,
Kim Waters, Liz Carroll, Gary Valente,
The Quinn Brothers, Joseph Diamond, Sean Harkness,
John Fedchock, Bob Devos, Gary Morgan,
Ann Hampton, Callaway, Vieux Diop, Bakiti Kumalo,
Veronica Martell, Pura Fe, Ed Palermo Big Band (Take
Your Clothes Off When You Dance); Nina Simone (A
Very Rare Evening); Rob Fried (Wind Songs); Denise
Williams (Love Niecy Style); Doug Hartline (Simple Gifts);
Catherine Dupuis (The Rules Of The Road)

TV SHOWS:
CBS Morning Show, National Geographic,
Joan Rivers, Harry Belafonte, PBS Special,
Show Time at the Apollo, Della Ventura,
New York PBS, Boston Pops,
BET Studio Jams

MOVIES:
Tough Turf, End of the Night, 16 Blocks with Bruce Willis

ARTICLES:
Modern Percussion, Modern Drummer

COMMERCIALS:
Anheiser Bush, Mercedes Benz, Visa, Seven-UP, Crest Toothpaste

ENDORSEMENTS:
Vic Firth - Drumsticks
Paiste - Cymbals
L.P Latin Percussion
Attack - Drumheads!

BONGO HEADS: made by Emedin called EM-RAYS.
EM - RAYS The LATEST in Bongo Heads.
No more breaking Bongo Heads.
EM-RAYS are made of a strong DOUBLE-PLY PLASTIC that will
Last Longer than any ordinary head.
Neither Moisture, Heat nor Cold will affect the quality of the sound.
Once tuned, they never need tuning again.
EM-RAYS also produce an excellent sound for recordings.

For more information about the EM-RAYS Bongo Head,
or to purchase one, e-mail me at:
Emedin_din@hotmail.com