““Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.” ” - John Lennon, Allen Saunders
Johnny J Rivera
Johnny J Rivera: Award-Winning Musician Composer & Sound Designer
Johnny J Rivera is an accomplished singer, songwriter, guitarist, and music producer, recognized for his distinctive blend of soulful melodies and jazz-infused arrangements. With a deep passion for music spanning a wide array of styles, including a profound appreciation for country, Johnny's musical journey began by drawing inspiration from iconic artists like Steely Dan, Earth Wind & Fire, The Beatles, Heatwave, and Willie Nelson, George Strait.
Born in Central California and raised in Southern California, Johnny honed his craft at the Musicians Institute, studying guitar with the acclaimed Frank Gambale. His talent was recognized early on when renowned jazz guitarist Norman Brown personally selected him to play keyboards and sing for his band while Johnny was still a student. Further validating his production abilities, Producer/Mixer/Engineer Eric Sarafin was so impressed with Johnny's talent that he personally selected him to produce and record one of Sarafin's artists, a project that ultimately did not come to fruition due to external circumstances.
Beyond his extensive work in music, Johnny has a growing reputation in the world of sound design. He has done countless voiceovers and composed jingles nationwide and in Las Vegas. Currently, Johnny is lending his expertise to an animated series, meticulously crafting its sonic landscape. He has also earned his first official IMDb credit as Sound Designer for the podcast series Sketchus Maximus (2025), marking an exciting foray into this field.
Johnny's acclaimed album, "Trying To Catch Rain," featured the #1 smooth jazz hit "Lady Cab Driver." He continues to compose and perform his original material, often collaborating with fellow musicians. His extensive performance experience includes playing for over 10,000 people with the Rock en Español group Magaly Y Santos Pecadores in Downtown Los Angeles (televised on Telemundo NBC); touring across the United States as a guitarist for The Gregg Austin M-Town and More Show; a notable performance with R&B singer Keith Washington; sharing the stage with the legendary Tim Bogert of Vanilla Fudge fame; and performing with his duo, Johnny and Treasure, in France and frequently at Blake Shelton's Ole Red on the Las Vegas Strip.
In addition to his creative endeavors, Johnny is launching a new YouTube channel, Johnny's Music Garage, where he'll be reviewing studio gear and sharing his over 25 years of experience in the music industry. The channel will offer valuable insights for aspiring musicians, covering topics such as breaking into the Las Vegas music scene, securing gigs on the Strip, and strategies for maintaining a successful career.
His recent work includes the singles "Gotta Say Something" and "Consistency." Stay tuned for his upcoming releases this Fall, promising listeners more of his unique sound that is both fresh and familiar.
REVIEWS
"Give me something fresh! That's my new mantra. Even though Johnny J Rivera is more of an R&B/Pop singer (who serves up a healthy helping of Blues in the mix) the singer/guitarist seems to have found a home in Smooth and Contemporary Jazz. Rivera, who lives in Las Vegas, is a huge Beatles fan and it shows in his harmonies. Tunes like 'London' and 'Lady Cab Driver' (the first single) have that 'fresh and clean' feel. They are also reminders that an artist can generously borrow from old musical inspirations and still sound original. Rivera spent some time playing with Norman Brown and like his old buddy singing while playing a crazy-ass guitar comes easy. One of the biggest complaints in Smooth Jazz is the music can be really boring. Something that happens in the name of SMOOTH. The more seasoned players however, aren't really interested in putting anyone to sleep - we have Jennifer Aniston for that. The sense of cool on this album also makes it top-shelf. J” – John Beaudin, Smooth Jazz Now
“I met Johnny last year when he sent me the single ‘Lady Cab Driver,’” says ‘Full Spin’ host and station Program Director, John Beaudin. “His tune topped our chart, which is amazing for a relatively unknown artist, and now that the album is out we are pumped.” Rivera will also sit in with Beaudin and describe each track from the project. In previous weeks Beaudin has featured ‘Global Kiss; from Steve Oliver, ‘Out of the Box’ from Jack Prybylski and Airborne’s ‘New Horizons.’ Full Spin is also replayed each Tuesday at 7PM (EST). – Shannon Edwards ” – Shannon Edwards, Rock History Book
“5.0 out of 5 stars Great CD!, - See all my reviews This review is from: Trying To Catch Rain (Audio CD) Excellent album and great music from very talented artist. Johnny hits home with his style of Pop/jazz. A must have for any smooth jazz listener.” – Amazon Customer Review of Trying To Catch Rain
