Café with Eddie Palmieri: on Salsa, Latin Jazz, and new albums – Part 1

What is Salsa? Where is Latin Jazz headed in the 21st century? Creating the greatest album of his career. I discussed all these topics through a “virtual coffee” with Latin music maestro Eddie Palmieri.

Palmieri is perhaps the top ambassador of Latin music at the moment. Of Puerto Rican parents, Eddie grew up and worked in New York City during the formational years of the musical styles we call today Salsa and Latin Jazz, and Eddie Palmieri learned them first-hand from the true masters of Latin music.

His main mentor was his oldest brother Charlie Palmieri, who with his band Charanga La Duboney, was one of the main acts during the 1950’s and early 60’s charanga craze in NYC. His other mentor was Tito Rodriguez, the great singer and bandleader, who passed by the Machito and his Afro-Cubans band, along with Tito Puente. The three of them became known as the “Big 3” of Latin music.

This is where we pick up our “virtual coffee” conversation…

LMC: You learned from some great icons of Latin music, your brother Charlie and the great Tito Rodriguez among them. What things you learned from Charlie and Tito that you pass along to members of your orchestra?

EP: I learned from them to create your own musical signature! That way you get immediate respect from your peers and the industry. Also, I was told nice guys do not make it which has definitely been true in my musical career which now has been 71 years on the bandstand. At the age of 7 I was singing War Songs and winning competitions with my older brother on piano.

[Latin Music History note: Eddie went on to form his 1st band, La Perfecta in 1961. The popular Charanga format of the time used a flute and 2 or 3 violins as the core of its sound. Eddie decided to swap the violins for 2 trombones, becoming perhaps the first to employ this format. It immediately became the signature Eddie Palmieri sound.]

Here’s a tune from Eddie Palmieri’s first album with his Conjunto La Perfecta “Ritmo Caliente” (Hot Sound), showcasing his new sound.

 

LMC: Your brother Charlie Palmieri was a true pioneer of Latin music in New York and in general. Have you considered recording a tribute album to his music?

EP: Thank you for the kind words regarding my older brother and mentor Charlie Palmieri. He was the pianist in the family…. I am trying to catch up…. Lol
As for re-recording some of his compositions maybe someday but at the moment I have 3 projects to complete. We have 1 project in the can already “Latin – Jazz” with invited guests Marcus Miller, Bernard Purdie, Joe Locke, Ronnie Cuber, Donald Harrison and Alfredo de la Fe to name a few. Late 2015 some tracks of “Sabiduria” will be released.

LMC: I’ve also heard rumors of a new Eddie Palmieri Salsa album (with Gilberto Santa Rosa & and others). What can you tell us about this and perhaps other upcoming recordings?

EP: At the moment we are working on the greatest album that I have ever done. Big Band recording with 5 Saxophones 4 Trumpets & 4 Trombones. The percussion section of course with invited guests. Carlos Santana has recorded 1 track already and now we will complete the session in August. The invited vocalists will record in September. Gilberto Santa Rosa & Herman Olivera will do the majority of the work . Ruben Blades is quite interested and we look forward to solidifying his great talents on this Project dedicated to my late wife who passed away May 3, 2014. The Album/CD is entitled “La Luz Mayor” to be released in early 2016.

Also, have re-arranged “Vamonos Pa’l Monte” and “La Ocha” that will be out by Hispanic Heritage Month.

[Latin Music History note: Eddie Palmieri has won 9 Grammy awards, so for him to say he’s working on his “greatest album” it must be something really special. The invited guest list is quite VIP, so I’m certainly looking forward to get my hands on it next year.]

Here’s a 2002 version of his early 1960’s hit “Tirandote Flores”, which clearly reflects the Palmieri sound. Eventually, the maestro would incorporate trumpets, the Cuban tres, and other instruments as he would see fit for his music.

On Part 2 of Café with Eddie Palmieri, the maestro will share his views on the state of Salsa, Latin Jazz, and a peak at his life these days!