by Holly SpillaneThe South Florida arts world lost a dynamic leader and passionate advocate of jazz and blues on the first morning of the new year. Chief Sandrell Rivers' efforts affected countless area residents over a lifetime of service and tireless promotion of arts, culture and education. Through her associations with the Sunshine Jazz Organization, Diaspora Arts Coalition, The Urban League of Greater Miami, Miami-Dade County, Africa Reconnect, Inc. and others, she remained committed to the assertion that the measure of a society can be found in its culture, and that music is of the utmost importance in the continual growth and advancement of our community.
Born in Miami on Aug. 10, 1947, Rivers grew up in a large, loving family in Overtown and Brownsville. Athletic, dramatic and full of passion, she blossomed during the era of extreme civil rights challenges, which coincided with the heyday of R&B, jazz and Miami soul. Those early years helped develop her confidence and tenacious passion for culture, music, people and causes.
After graduating from Miami Northwestern Senior High in 1965, Rivers earned degrees in Speech, Theater and Communications at Tennessee State University, where she then taught speech and drama courses, directed plays and supervised production and administration. She moved on to teaching positions at Alabama State University, Cleo Johnson School of the Arts, and Kennedy King College in Chicago, and eventually returned home to positions at the University of Miami and Miami-Dade Community College.
Rivers' multifaceted career also included singing, modeling, dancing and acting in everything from plays and films to radio and TV commercials. She directed more than 100 plays and produced numerous entertainment events. As manager of Miami's Joseph Caleb Center, she brought in Hugh Masakela, Isaac Hayes and many others.
Rivers joined Miami-Dade County in 1981 and made her way from the Budget office, through the County Manager’s office and finally settled into a position with Parks & Recreation. There she rose to area-wide arts supervisor and strove to bring arts programming into every park countywide.
A world traveler, Rivers was dedicated in the quest to reconnect African-Americans and the African Diaspora with the Motherland, volunteering for many organizations, coalitions, task forces, business and trade organizations. In 2004, she was bestowed the title of traditional African Chief by King Akran of Badagry, in Lagos State, Nigeria, in recognition of her outstanding community leadership and service. Rivers received many awards and accolades, including Year 2000 African-American Achiever in the arts profession, and she was invited to Maya Angelou’s 80th birthday celebration.
Her association with the Sunshine Jazz Organization resulted in 20 years of friendship and collaboration in the promotion of jazz education and concerts, including outreach programs such as Jazz on Wheels and Arts in the Parks; many concert series, including 2009’s Magic City Jazz at The Caleb; and music celebrations featuring Alice Day, Stanley Turrentine and many others.
Memorial celebrations of Rivers' life took place at The Caleb Center and at her own Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Brownsville on Jan. 8-9, and featured tributes and gospel and jazz performances. With her dear friend, Dr. Bobby Jones, acting as Master of Ceremonies, a long line of dignitaries, musicians, dancers, friends, colleagues and family came from as far away as Africa and Bangkok to pay homage to the woman who gave so much love and support to so many individuals and causes.
Chief Rivers will be missed beyond measure, but those who knew her will embrace her memory by continuing on the path of service she so eloquently paved.
The Sunshine Jazz Organization honors the life, legacy and friendship of Chief Sandrell Rivers. With eternal gratitude from SJO members, directors and board — President Keith Valles, Vice President Holly Spillane, Treasurer J.D. Mack, Secretary Jeanette Tullis, Editor Ginny Crawford; directors Ralph Clark, Arthur Simms, Gera Wright, Sam Gunning and Keith Clarke; Executive Director Thelma Valles and President Emeritus China Valles. May the flames of her inspiration continue to live within us all.
Holly Spillane can be contact at: SuperbArtists@aol.com
Sunshine Jazz Organization website: http://www.myspace.com/sunshinejazzorg
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Jazz & Blues Floridahttp://www.jazzbluesflorida.com/
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