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| Photo of Eddie Gomez courtesy of Art of Life Records, LLC |
Bassist Eddie Gomez and Marian McPartland first teamed up in the early 1960s when McPartland found herself in need of a bassist for a regular trio gig at Strollers. At the time, there was a great deal of buzz about a young bass player on the scene named Eddie Gomez. After a brief audition, McPartland quickly hired him.
Gomez was born October 4th, 1944, in Puerto Rico, and his family moved to New York a year later. At the age of 11, Gomez took up the double bass and two years later he was accepted into New York City High School of Music and Art. Soon after, Gomez began playing professionally for dance bands. He was also selected to perform with the Newport Festival Youth Band led by Marshall Brown.
After high school, Gomez attended Juilliard School of Music. Though he was studying classically, he continued to play jazz, and it was during this time that he began playing with McPartland and drummer Dottie Dogion at Strollers. He also began playing with Gerry Mulligan's small group. One night in 1966, while playing with Mulligan at the Village Vanguard, Gomez met one of his idols, Bill Evans. Evans happened to be in search of a bass player, following the death of his long-time bassist, Scott LaFaro. Gomez joined Evans' group soon after and stayed with the influential trio for 11 years.
With such a high profile gig, Gomez's notoriety grew. He's performed with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard, and Hank Jones. He has also worked with rock/pop acts including Carly Simon, Mark Knoffler, and Bobby Darrin.
Lately, Gomez has been working on several projects with pianist Mark Kramer. Gomez has also recently accepted a position as Artist In Residence at the The Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music.
Check out this week's Piano Jazz Shorts: the Piano Jazz podcast.
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Set List for Keith Jarrett on Piano Jazz:On Green Dolphin Street (Kaper, Washington)
Windows (Corea)
Willow Weep For Me (Ronell)
Easy To Love (Porter)
Turn Out The Starts (Evans, Mangiardi)
Free Piece (McPartland, Gomez)
Stella By Starlight (Washington, Young)
Sometime Ago (Mihanovich)
Straight No Chaser (Monk)
Gomez was born October 4th, 1944, in Puerto Rico, and his family moved to New York a year later. At the age of 11, Gomez took up the double bass and two years later he was accepted into New York City High School of Music and Art. Soon after, Gomez began playing professionally for dance bands. He was also selected to perform with the Newport Festival Youth Band led by Marshall Brown.
After high school, Gomez attended Juilliard School of Music. Though he was studying classically, he continued to play jazz, and it was during this time that he began playing with McPartland and drummer Dottie Dogion at Strollers. He also began playing with Gerry Mulligan's small group. One night in 1966, while playing with Mulligan at the Village Vanguard, Gomez met one of his idols, Bill Evans. Evans happened to be in search of a bass player, following the death of his long-time bassist, Scott LaFaro. Gomez joined Evans' group soon after and stayed with the influential trio for 11 years.
With such a high profile gig, Gomez's notoriety grew. He's performed with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard, and Hank Jones. He has also worked with rock/pop acts including Carly Simon, Mark Knoffler, and Bobby Darrin.
Lately, Gomez has been working on several projects with pianist Mark Kramer. Gomez has also recently accepted a position as Artist In Residence at the The Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music.
Check out this week's Piano Jazz Shorts: the Piano Jazz podcast.
Subscribe!
Set List for Keith Jarrett on Piano Jazz: