Pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader Eddie Palmieri, who celebrated his 50th year as a professional musician in 2005, was the recipient of a 2006 Grammy in the Latin Jazz category for his 2005 release “Listen Here!” his eighth Grammy and first recording to include jazz standards. Although he has been heard often on public radio, this series will be Palmieri’s first nationally distributed programming bearing his own name. Born in Spanish Harlem in 1936, Palmieri began piano studies at an early age, as did his celebrated older brother, the late salsa legend and pianist Charlie Palmieri. For Latin New Yorkers of Eddie’s generation, music was a vehicle out of the barrio. Possessed by a desire to play the drums, Palmieri joined his uncle’s orchestra at age 13, where he played the timbales. Says Palmieri, “By 15, it was good-bye timbales and back to the piano until this day. I’m a frustrated percussionist, so I take it out on the piano.” Palmieri remains a powerhouse of brilliance and sound that has stirred audiences for 50 years, captivating and elevating the senses while taking listeners down paths of intensity to a place where there are no musical boundaries. http://www.eddiepalmierimusic.com |
