THE QUARTET
Learn more about the other members that comprise the Alex Rivera Quartet. It is an honor and a privilege to play with such an outstanding group of musicians.
MIKE GARVEY, PIANO
A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Mike Garvey is a graduate of the University of California. He has been based in the DFW area since 1998 and has been playing professionally for over 30 years. He was the featured pianist at Nordstrom’s for four years. Prior to moving to the DFW area, Mike was active in the music scenes of Nashville and New Orleans. He spent three years on staff at RCA Records while in Nashville.
Matthew Frerck - BASS
A native of Richardson Texas, Matthew Frerck is performer actively finding a voice through the creative practices of jazz, free-improvisation, and contemporary classical performance. His energetic approach has led him collaborate and share the stage with luminaries including Pulitzer Prize-Winning composer/saxophonist Henry Threadgill, Aaron Dilloway (Wolf Eyes), and Ursula Oppens among others.
Currently based in North Texas, Frerck performs actively within the jazz and underground music circles. In addition to freelance performance, Frerck teaches lessons in Double Bass and Bass Guitar.
Frerck holds a BM from Oberlin Conservatory of Music where he studied Double Bass in Contemporary Performance and Improvisation under the guidance of mentors Peter Dominguez and Dana Jessen.
Andre Swartz - Drums
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From his first job as a teen as a sweeper in a Cape Town aluminum factory to touring with the Royal Shakespeare Company with a residency in Stratford Upon Avon, André draws from his culture and life experiences to create and perform music.
André started playing drums at the age of 12 at his church. A decade later, he interviewed at the University of Cape Town with friends on a whim. His acceptance into the UCT jazz program changed the trajectory of his life and career to be a full-time musician and teacher.
His passion for education drives André as much as his passion for his craft. He has taught all levels and ages, and was most recently the Head of Faculty (as well as a drum kit and music business lecturer) at COPA Cape Town, a music college preparing young adults for careers in music.
His influences include world music, jazz, funk, RnB, neo-soul, Motown, gospel, progressive metal and math metal, classic rock, reggae, and hip hop.
