MAESTRO EDDIE PALMIERI’S ENDURING VIRTUOSITY AT 80 AND BEYOND
By Babá António Mondesíre
On March 4, 2017, JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER (Frederick P. Rose Hall) presented the second of two performances entitled, EDDIE PALMIERI, CELEBRATING 80 YEARS.
The festivities were divided into two segments: Latin jazz aka “instrumental mambos,” and an “Afro-Caribbean dance-set” of Nuyoricanized Salsa Dura (Hard, solid clave with traditional flavor).
Palmieri opened with a solo-piece dedicated to his late wife, Iraida and continued in “honoring mode” with loving words about Mama Julia, his paternal grandmother, an enslaved African and the source of the rhythmic patterns that are his “life’s pulse.” Also, warm mention of his late elder brother and master musician (pianist) Charlie Palmieri; JALC’S Artistic Director, Wynton Marsalis and the late Frank “Machito” Grillo, Tito Puente and Thelonious Monk, all iconic figures in his musical matrix.
In tune with Ęlégbá and Ifá respectively (Yorùbá – Lukumi cosmic energies of “Opening Roads” and “Universal Wisdom embodied in select Palm Trees) El Maestro performed a savory, laid back rendition of “Palmas,” with the full orchestra. Afterward, he let it be known – with gusto – “This is the greatest band I’ve ever played with!”
Touching moments abounded as Maestro EP paused between tunes to share powerful, reflective anecdotes and oral histories. Might we surmise the transformative power of his growl as he turns painful historical legacies into euphoric compositions? At one point, he noted, with intensity – Spain and Africa produced the “Mulato” (a person of mixed race). Despite the inhumanity that created him, the drum was re-created and brought happiness to the world with El Caribe as the epicenter.”
Borrowing from the historian of Afro-Atlantic Art, Professor Robert Farris Thompson’s thought process, Palmieri “unleashes specifically chosen ostinatos” (montunos/vamps that travel into, “unknown territories, deliberately attempting to capture the divine awkwardness of a world gone mad.”
MR. EP’s personnel included sixteen musicians, including him self, as sixteen is a sacred number with the Yoruba cosmology. In that context, the fraternal order of players “threw down” with universally encoded À ṣ e̩ (ah-shay or aché), a West African metaphysical thought articulated through Yoruba – Lukumi culture that embraces, “the power to make things happen.”
All the musicians deserve honorable mention but a particular tip of the hat goes to Urban Jibaro/Cosmopolitan Guajiro Jimmy Bosch, whose “trombonic” phrasing and solos are invocations for cause for celebration; Bassist Luques Curtis’s intuitive interplay with Maestro EP’s piano work; authentic sonero Herman Olivera’s heartfelt pregones which honored the elders; masterful Tres work by Don Nelson Gonzalez Camilo Molina’s disciplined, classy approach to the timbales and trap-kit indicate inspiration from Ifá (Yorùbá – Lukumi cosmology).
In all, there were consistent blasts from the unified brass section; musical warrior angels on trumpets, trombones and saxophones that raised eyebrows as they played in sync with a rock solid rhythm section marinated in signature Palmieri school of “Clave Afincao y Aguanto” (tension and release in 2/3 time, meter structured and controlled).
As the late science-fiction author, Robert Heinlein coined, we (the audience) “GROK” (understand something intuitively or by empathy) the full spectrum of Master EP’s musical messages.
At the age of 80, Mr. Palmieri continues to “download” the latest solar sourced inspirations, edify his family, ancestral relations, his elders, his band, and the audience, indicating that he understand the formula. Eddie Palmieri “GROKS” and continues to rock.
CAMINA EDDIE!
Maestro EP’s Fraternal Order this performance: EDDIE PALMIERI, Leader, Piano; BRIAN LYNCH, Trumpet; CHARLIE SEPULVEDA, Trumpet JONATHAN POWELL, Trumpet; JIMMY BOSCH, Trombone; JOSEPH FIEDLER, Trombone ; LOUIS FOUCHE, Alto Saxophone; JEREMY POWELL, Tenor Saxophone; IVAN RENTA, Baritone Saxophone LUQUES CURTIS, Bass; VICENTE “LITTLE JOHNNY” RIVERO, Congas; CAMILO MOLINA, Timbales, Drums; NICHOLAS MARRERO, Bongo, Timbalitos; HERMAN OLIVERA, Lead Vocals; NELSON GONZALEZ, Tres Guitar, Vocals and JOSEPH GONZALEZ, Maracas, Vocals
Contained here are links to sample Maestro EP’s work with trimmed down core personnel of JALC’s March 3 + 4 2017 performance. Nothing like live! Enjoy and savor!
Eddie Palmieri – Estival Jazz Lugano 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6CVzxavttY&t=4s
Eddie Palmieri & Afro-Caribbean Jazz All Stars Festival De Jazz Latino Clazz 2013 (by Lucas Vazquez)
https://www.youtube.com/watchv=K1EG4gRN4qo&index=4&list=RDy6CVzxavttY
PHOTOS: Eddie Palmieri, Eddie and Charlie Palmieri by Joe Conzo Jr.
BABA ANTONIO MONDESIRE WEBSITE: http://www.antoniomondesire.com
EP WEBSITE: http://www.palmierimusic.com
