RIVERS MUSIC
Clinics, Workshops, and Performances
Dynamic and engaging as both a performer and clinician, Brian has spent a lifetime entertaining, informing, and engaging audiences.
Brian is available as a performing artist or workshop clinician.
Interested in having Brian appear at your event as either a performer or clinician? Contact Brian
Workshop Menu
Empowered Music Making
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The Empowered Music Making model is at the center of all my clinics. Empowered Music Making is the simple belief that people learn best by doing and experiencing music. I focus on students engaging in hands-on, level appropriate, activities in the clinic, and also have access to print or multi-media supports after the clinic so they can be fully present in the clinic activities without worry of needing to “take notes”.
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Guitar Techniques
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The Guitar Toolkit
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Essential Guitar Skills
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Techniques That Transform Your Playing
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Guitar Mechanics to Mastery
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Making Your Guitar Do More
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Confidence Builders for Guitar
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Demystifying Chords and Arpeggios
Fingerpicking
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Fingerstyle for the Fearful (and the Curious)
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Fingerpicking Patterns & Groove
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Fingerstyle Guitar Lab – Travis Picking
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Fingerstyle Guitar Lab – Arpeggio Style Picking
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Fingerstyle Guitar Lab – Hybrid Picking
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Fingerpicking: From Basics to Flow
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Fingerstyle Magic
Strumming
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Strumming Patterns That Groove
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Rhythm & Feel
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Strum with Confidence—The Art of Strumming
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Groove-Based Strumming—Strum Like You Mean It
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Swing vs Straight Feel
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Strumming for Sing-Alongs
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Strumming Without Second-Guessing
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Feel the Rhythm, Trust Your Hands
Songwriting
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From Spark to Song
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Songcraft: Lyrics, Melody & Meaning
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Your Stories Are Worth Putting to Song
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From Self-Doubt to Song
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Writing Songs Without Apology
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Finding Your Voice (and Putting It in a Song)
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Get The Blues…
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Demystifying the “Song”
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Lyrical Literacy
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Poetry vs. Song
Improvisation
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Joyful Noise: Ecstatic Improvisation
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Free Play: Music Without a Map
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Letting the Music Lead
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Improvising with Joy and Freedom
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Follow the Sound…
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Sing What You Play, Play What You Sing!
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No Wrong Notes: Improvising Without Fear
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Let Yourself Be Heard
Jamming
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The Building Blocks of a Great Jam
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10 Easy Jam Songs
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Jamming for the First Time
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Playing With Others – How to Find Your Part
Musical Elements and Practice
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The Building Blocks of Music
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Rhythm, Melody & Harmony
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Letting Songs Breath
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Shell Voicings
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Feel and Groove
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Don’t Just Learn the Song, Learn from the Song
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Playing in the Moment
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Understanding Dominant Chords
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Understanding Diminished Chords
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To Scale or Not to Scale?
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Line Clichés
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You Already Know More Than You Think
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A Friendly Look at Music Theory
Technology
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The Physics of Music (Sound) – An Experiential Workshop
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Getting Started with Digital Recording
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Restringing and Adjusting Your Acoustic Guitar
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Restringing and Adjusting Your Electric Guitar
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Adding a Pickup to Your Acoustic Guitar
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Amps vs Amp Modelers for Electric or Acoustic Guitar
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How to Operate a Basic PA system
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The World of Microphones
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Sheet Music on the iPad or Tablet
Musical Styles
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Protest Songs: Resistance, Resilience and Hope
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Style Is a Marketing Construct: What Genres Really Are
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Breaking Free of Style: Making Music Without Boxes
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The American Music Tree
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Blues: The Root of American Music
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Country, Folk and Bluegrass: From Europe to Appalachia
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Jazz: Exploration, Conversation, and Possibility
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Funk: Rhythm, Space, and the Power of One
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Americana/Rock: Challenge, Grit, and Energy
Misc.
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One-on-One Lessons
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The Do’s and Don’ts of Live Performance
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Q&A with Brian
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Music, Spirituality and Altered States of Conscience
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You’re More Musical Than You Think
​Upcoming Events...
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April 26-29 - Rivertunes Spring JAMboree 2026
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I'll be presenting many workshops over four days
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Be there, or be square!​
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Saturday, June 19-21, Davis Music Fest
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Brian will be performing with the amazing singer-songwriter Clare McKeon and her band throughout the DMF, Check back for the DMF schedule.
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Past Events 2025...​​
Dec. 23 - 6PM to 8PM
Joe Craven and Brian Rivers Duo @ Armadillo Records in Davis
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Brian will be performing with the renown Joe Craven in a duo format playing holiday favorites as only they can! All tips will go to support the Yolo County Food Bank. Come by for some holiday cheer and tunes!
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Dec. 19 - 7PM to 9PM
The 21st Annual "Home for the Holidays" Benefit concert
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Brian will be performing with the amazing singer-songwriter Clare McKeon in an intimate duo setting!
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Get your tickets early, it sells out every year!
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Oct. 11 - 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Brian & Al go on yet another musical adventure but this time with Bill Dakin!...
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This musically adventurous trio features Brian Rivers, a founding member of Mumbo Gumbo and a Sacramento Music Award (SAMMIE) “Hall of Fame” inductee, known for his enlightened and soulful style.
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Percussionist Al Vasquez, who has performed with Rounder Records, the Rob Ickes Trio, and numerous national and local artists, brings his exciting and heartfelt spirit to the music.
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Bassist, guitarist and vocalist Bill Dakin will round out the trio. Bill is best known for his work as a member of the Rita Hosking trio and Muddy Waders!
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Together, they take listeners on a boundless musical journey…
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Davis Wine Bar 611 2nd St, Davis, CA 95616 (530) 746-2313
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September 27 - 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Brian & Al go on another musical adventure...
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This musically adventurous duo features Brian Rivers, a founding member of Mumbo Gumbo and a Sacramento Music Award (SAMMIE) “Hall of Fame” inductee, known for his enlightened and soulful style.
​
Percussionist Al Vasquez, who has performed with Rounder Records, the Rob Ickes Trio, and numerous national and local artists, brings his exciting and heartfelt spirit to the music.
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Together, they take listeners on a boundless musical journey…
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Davis Wine Bar 611 2nd St, Davis, CA 95616 (530) 746-2313
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September 28 - October. 1 - Rivertunes Fall JAMboree 2025
Times -TBA
I'll be presenting FOUR DIFFERENT WORKSHOPS! (offered multiple times)
"Strummers Workshop"
"To Scale, or Not to Scale?"
"Blues Unleashed"
"Finding the Notes on the Guitar"
"Songs of Resistance and Justice"
"Ecstatic Improvisation"
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Saturday, September 5, Sudwerks Brewing 7PM to 9PM
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Brian will be performing with the amazing singer-songwriter Clare McKeon and her band!
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Friday, August 8, Cincinnati open tennis tournament 2 to 3 PM
I'll be performing with the amazing singer-songwriter Tracy Walker
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July 12th - 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Brian & Al go on a musical adventure...
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This musically adventurous duo features Brian Rivers, a founding member of Mumbo Gumbo and a Sacramento Music Award (SAMMIE) “Hall of Fame” inductee, known for his enlightened and soulful style.
​
Percussionist Al Vasquez, who has performed with Rounder Records, the Rob Ickes Trio, and numerous national and local artists, brings his exciting and heartfelt spirit to the music.
​
Together, they take listeners on a boundless musical journey…
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Davis Wine Bar 611 2nd St, Davis, CA 95616 (530) 746-2313
brianrivers.com​​
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June 21st - 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Area Musicians Bring the Great American Songbook to Life at Davis Wine Bar
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This musically adventurous trio features guitarist and New York native Gabe Stivala, who resides in Sacramento and performs with numerous local ensembles, including the Sacramento Philharmonic and the Opera Jazz Trio, as well as the Cahersiveen Celtic Band and others.
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Also featured is percussionist Al Vasquez, who has performed with Rounder Records, the Rob Ickes Trio, and numerous national and local artists. Vasquez is the bandleader of this ensemble.
Guitarist Brian Rivers, a founding member of Mumbo Gumbo and a Sacramento Music Award (SAMMIE) “Hall of Fame” inductee, rounds out the trio with his enlightened and soulful style.
Together, they take listeners on a boundless musical journey…
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Davis Wine Bar 611 2nd St, Davis, CA 95616 (530) 746-2313
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March 29th - 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Area Musicians Bring the Great American Songbook to Life at Davis Wine Bar
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Prepare for an unforgettable evening of musical exploration as some of the region’s finest improvisational musicians breathe new life into the Great American Songbook at Davis Wine Bar on Saturday, March 29, from 6:30 to 9:30 PM.
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Led by master percussionist and vocalist Al Vasquez, this group features Sacramento Area Music Award “Hall of Fame” inductee Brian Rivers (guitar), Gabe Stivala (guitar), an accomplished jazz guitarist with the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera Jazz Trio, and multi-instrumentalist Eric LaBolle (guitar and bass).
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With deep roots in jazz, blues, and folk traditions, these musicians have graced festival stages and performed alongside area favorites Joe Craven, Rob Ickes, Nina Gerber, Laurie Lewis, Dave Nachmanoff, and Scott Nygaard. Now, they unite locally for one night only to bring their signature artistry and spontaneity to the intimate setting of Davis Wine Bar.
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Davis Wine Bar 611 2nd St, Davis, CA 95616 (530) 746-2313
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April 27-30 - Rivertunes Spring JAMboree 2025
Times -TBA
I'll be presenting FOUR DIFFERENT WORKSHOPS! (offered multiple times)
"Strummers Workshop"
"To Scale, or Not to Scale?"
"Blues Unleashed"
"Finding the Notes on the Guitar"
"Songs of Resistance and Justice"
"Ecstatic Improvisation"
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Be there, or be square!​
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Check back for more!
Check back soon!