View source for Portrait Sam Rivers album

**Portrait** is a live solo album by multi-instrumentalist Sam Rivers, released in 1997 under the FMP label and later reissued digitally in 2015 by his own RivBea Music. The album features nine original compositions performed exclusively by Rivers on tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, piano, and voice. Recorded on June 18, 1995, at the Workshop Freie Musik in Berlin, **Portrait** showcases Rivers's versatility and creativity across his instruments.

The album has received critical acclaim for its innovative approach to solo performance. Reviewers have praised Rivers's ability to "find a distinctive voice" on each instrument, highlighting his technical skill and expressive range. The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings awarded the album four stars, calling it "magnificently crafted" and "a testament to his creative range and intelligence." Steve Vickery of *Coda* noted that Rivers's improvisational prowess and ability to alternate between instruments demonstrated his boundless energy and inventiveness.

Track listing includes nine compositions: "Image," "Silhouette," "Reflection," "Mirror," "Vignette," "Shadow," "Visage," "Profile," and "Cameo." The album's personnel list Sam Rivers as the sole contributor, performing on tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, piano, and voice. This solo effort has been celebrated for its ability to capture Rivers's wide artistic scope and individuality in a fully improvised setting.