(Originally recorded Jan. 31, 1997)
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Pianist Eddie Palmieri was born in 1936 and spent his childhood in New York's Spanish Harlem. Both Eddie and his older brother Charlie began studying piano when they were children, and both showed great promise at the instrument. Charlie would go on to a successful career as a pianist and bandleader working with such greats as Tito Puente and Celia Cruz. Eddie followed his brother to piano lessons and eventually followed him into the music business.
As a young teenager, Eddie Palmieri became a huge fan of Puente and briefly took up the drums, playing timbales in his uncle's group. By age 15, though, Palmieri had returned to the piano and had formed his own nine-piece band. He began playing professionally in the 1950s, cutting his teeth with a number of Latin groups, including Eddie Forrester's Orchestra, Johnny Segui's band and the Tito Rodriguez Orchestra. In 1961, Palmieri formed his own band, calling it "Conjunto La Perfecta," which distinguished itself through the use of a trombone section and a flute.
Palmieri recently celebrated a half-century in the music business. He has released more than 30 albums as a leader. He has won eight Grammy Awards and was nominated for six others. His album The Sun of Latin Music received the very first Grammy in a then-new category: Best Latin Album. In 1993, Palmieri was invited to join the board of governors for the New York Chapter of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He wasted no time in working with the group to create the Latin Jazz category. He won Grammy gold in that category for his 2005 release Listen Here!, which included guest stars Regina Carter, David Sanchez, John Scofield and Nicholas Payton.
Palmieri has earned numerous nicknames -- the Sun of Latin Music, the Latin Monk and the Madman of Latin Jazz. He's well-versed in the origins and evolution of Latin rhythms, and he never fails to emphasize the inherent quality of the rhythms to make the listener dance. He has also worked to create a synthesis of Latin music and jazz by bringing together musicians from these different worlds, as well as combining the defining elements of each musical style. Palmieri recently launched his own public radio program devoted to his lifelong passion, Caliente -- Latin Jazz with Eddie Palmieri.
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Set List for Eddie Palmieri on Piano Jazz:Dona Tere (Palmieri)
Liza (Palmieri)
Definitely In (Palmieri)
Portrait of Eddie Palmieri (McPartland)
Boleros Dos (Palmieri)
Iraida (Palmieri)
M.E. Blues (McPartland, Palmieri)
Comparsa (Palmieri)
As a young teenager, Eddie Palmieri became a huge fan of Puente and briefly took up the drums, playing timbales in his uncle's group. By age 15, though, Palmieri had returned to the piano and had formed his own nine-piece band. He began playing professionally in the 1950s, cutting his teeth with a number of Latin groups, including Eddie Forrester's Orchestra, Johnny Segui's band and the Tito Rodriguez Orchestra. In 1961, Palmieri formed his own band, calling it "Conjunto La Perfecta," which distinguished itself through the use of a trombone section and a flute.
Palmieri recently celebrated a half-century in the music business. He has released more than 30 albums as a leader. He has won eight Grammy Awards and was nominated for six others. His album The Sun of Latin Music received the very first Grammy in a then-new category: Best Latin Album. In 1993, Palmieri was invited to join the board of governors for the New York Chapter of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He wasted no time in working with the group to create the Latin Jazz category. He won Grammy gold in that category for his 2005 release Listen Here!, which included guest stars Regina Carter, David Sanchez, John Scofield and Nicholas Payton.
Palmieri has earned numerous nicknames -- the Sun of Latin Music, the Latin Monk and the Madman of Latin Jazz. He's well-versed in the origins and evolution of Latin rhythms, and he never fails to emphasize the inherent quality of the rhythms to make the listener dance. He has also worked to create a synthesis of Latin music and jazz by bringing together musicians from these different worlds, as well as combining the defining elements of each musical style. Palmieri recently launched his own public radio program devoted to his lifelong passion, Caliente -- Latin Jazz with Eddie Palmieri.
Check out this week's Piano Jazz Shorts: the Piano Jazz podcast.
Subscribe!
Set List for Eddie Palmieri on Piano Jazz: