Gregory Rivkin — Artist Statement
Balance. That’s where I stand.
Between structure and fire.
Between intellect and instinct.
Between memory and the present moment.
My artistic package stands at the meeting point of architecture and breath. I am drawn to clarity of form — to lines that unfold with logic and inevitability. At the same time, I present the human element inside the sound: the fragile, singing tone that carries vulnerability and strength in the same phrase.
As a trumpet player, I think in space. Silence is not absence — it is tension. A phrase is not a collection of notes — it is a decision. Each improvisation is built, not scattered. Each climax is earned.
I am influenced by traditions that value depth: contrapuntal thinking, melodic dignity, rhythmic conversation. But I am equally shaped by the emotional directness of song — by the ability of a simple motif to reach the last row of the hall.
There is also an inner layer in my interpretation of music or improvised solos — a cultural memory carried in inflection, in the bend of a note, in the dialogue between major and minor. It is not quotation; it is presence.
For me, balance is not compromise.
It is tension held consciously.
On stage, I aim to create a space where refinement and intensity coexist — where the music speaks clearly, but never politely; where structure supports freedom; where the trumpet sings, questions, and affirms.
This is my way of collecting the best — and making it my own.
-Gregory Rivkin (Certain Attitude Productions. #CAP)
“The trumpeter, whose playing is in the tradition of Woody Shaw, Freddie Hubbard and Lee Morgan, would in another era be a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. His tone is quite attractive, his solos are full of surprises, and he plays with consistent passion and creativity within the hard bop and post bop tradition. Rivkin’s fiery and forward-looking playing with luck makes him one of the pacesetters of the trumpet in the present and future years”
– Scott Yanow, Los Angeles Jazz Scene, Author of the “Jazz Trumpet Kings” Encyclopedia (Third Ear)
“With immense pride and admiration, I recommend and endorse the unique and unparalleled jazz artist and trumpeter Gregory Rivkin. His unmatched talent, passion, and dedication to his craft have elevated him to a true virtuoso in the world of music. As a trumpet maker deeply committed to excellence and craftsmanship, I am extraordinarily honored to welcome Gregory Rivkin into the esteemed circle of artists associated with my brand. His choice to use my instruments is a rarity and a genuine treasure, demonstrating his understanding and high regard for the craft of instrument making. For this reason, Rivkin is my choice as an endorsee and artist”
-Christoph Endres, Blech In Nurnberg
https://www.blechin.de/endres-8
Grеgory Rivkin is a man of extraordinary talent: an organizer, producer, and a virtuoso musician. His refined and sophisticated taste allows him to lead his audience and immerse listeners in deep existentialism and an epic journey through time and space.
Attending a concert by Gregory Rivkin feels like stepping into a metaphorical time machine and embarking on a fascinating voyage through musical eras — from their earliest sounds to the present day.
His improvisational style places less emphasis on showcasing high-register brilliance or dazzling finger technique. Although these skills are fully within his artistic arsenal, he prioritizes emotional balance, ensemble communication, phrasing, and musical dramaturgy.
Gregory’s trademark is exclusivity. Every one of his concerts may present the premiere of a new original composition or a masterfully crafted arrangement.
His academic title — Master of Musical Arts and Musicology (equivalent to Candidate of Music Sciences), earned at Rutgers University (U.S.A.), grants him full authority to present thematic concerts and lectures on American music, particularly jazz. A vast performing experience on prestigious stages throughout Europe and the United States, numerous festival and club appearances, an extensive résumé, and five independently produced solo albums have led Grеgory to create his own brand — Certain Attitude Productions. Under this name, he presents his current project and one of his albums recorded in 2017.
His unmistakable individuality, erudition, and deep understanding of musical content are key to the success of his performances across diverse musical subgenres. The programs and repertoires of his ensembles are always precisely tailored to their target audiences and represent a truly unique artistic signature.
At this day and age the art Gregory Rivkin’s trumpet-playing is at the stage of epitome of taste and equilibrium on every and any level.
Always connected on stage to the moment and present tense, Gregory is a real -deal story-teller, when he plays ballads. Hard-swinging, lyrical and melodic at medium tempos, he becomes extremely dangerous, when it’s time to burn. An accomplished band-leader with robust musical individuality and a prolific sideman, the trumpeter gained his international reputation in the scene of Paris, France and New York, N.Y., U.S.A. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2006. In addition to his diplomas with excellence in classical trumpet, Gregory has won awards in several international and national competitions in a discipline of classical and jazz trumpet held in Israel, France and the United States.