“The Sun of Latin Music” – Eddie Palmieri at the Library of Congress

 

On Friday, October 18, the Music Division had the honor of presenting 10-time Grammy winner, NEA Jazz Master, “El Sonero Mayor,” American pianist, composer, arranger, band leader and social activist, Mr. Eddie Palmieri. In 1975, Palmieri won the first-ever Grammy in the category of Best Latin Music Recording with his album “The Sun of Latin Music.” In 2009, the Library of Congress inducted his album “Azucar Pa’ Ti” in the National Recording Registry to preserve it for future generations due to its cultural significance. With a career that spans for over seven decades, Eddie Palmieri is a true living cultural legend.

In an evening full of talent and charisma, Palmieri put the entire audience a gozar (“[to enjoy]”) proving that age is just a number. At 87 years young, he has so much joy to share. The evening began with a screening of the short documentary produced by Red Bull, “Eddie Palmieri: Revolution on Harlem River Drive.” The film centers on Eddie’s 1971 crossover album Harlem River Drive, which he described as “the the past, present and future.” Inspired by the shared struggles of the Latin and African American communities in New York, “Harlem River Drive” was a sonic call for union, justice and peace, blending Latin rhythms, funk and soul. Palmieri explained that the album didn’t achieve the commercial success he had hoped for. Despite the album’s commercial results, it was a musical success, with many referring to it as a work ahead of his time that will ultimately gain the recognition it deserves.

 

As the documentary concluded, the screen rose to reveal Palmieri  seated at the piano. He was met with a standing ovation and the rumba began.  He opened the evening with his characteristic sense of humor saying, “The rest of the band didn’t show up yet because I have them at minimum wage and they are having a meeting.” Accompanied by virtuoso musicians Luques Curtis on bass, Louis Fouche on alto saxophone and Camilo Molina on drums, Palmieri performed many of his legendary masterpieces arranged for piano quartet, including “Life,” a sentimental ballad dedicated to his late wife Iraida, “Adoración” from his album “Sentido,” and Tito Puente’s “Picadillo,” a piece included in his collaboration album with Cal Tjader “El Sonido Nuevo.” “Tito Puente to me was the greatest bandstand warriors of all times. He loved to perform, and he performed extremely well. He played the timbales uniquely and he also played vibraphone,” Palmieri shared. 

 

                                                                                                         

The program offered generous space for virtuosic improvisation, giving the audience the opportunity to witness fantastic music-making in real time. It was inspiring to observe the communication among musicians, their reactions to each another, and their ability to adapt to Palmieri’s unpredictable repertoire choices, called out spontaneously from the piano. During “Picadillo,” Palmieri stood up and shouted “clave, clave!”, and the enthusiastic audience joined in by clapping the clave rhythm to accompany bassist Luques Curtis in his solo. At the end of the piece Palmieri said, “You are such a great audience, that wherever we travel we are going to take you with us. So, when you get home, pack your suitcases!” 

 

Throughout his performance, the audience witness Palmieri’s signature piano technique, which showcases an intense finger and hand disassociation that allows him to play montuno with his left hand and other intricate rhythms and improvisations with his right. As he mentioned during the conversation we recorded, this technique was developed early in his career and notably present in his 1965 album “Azúca Pa’ Ti,” which solidified his reputation as a sonero (a leader/lead singer and improviser in some Latin music styles).   

 

For his final piece, Eddie took the mic and introduce his famous piece “Azúcar” and shared the story behind it. For years, his legendary orchestra La Perfecta, closed its shows at The Palladium Ballroom in New York with this piece. “Azúcar” became a challenge between the dancers and the orchestra, with the dancers almost always losing because it was nine minutes and thirty seconds-long. “The dancers would say to each other, if you are going to dance ‘Azúcar’ make sure you leave after the piano solo; otherwise, you won’t make it,” Palmieri shared, making everyone laugh. The audience followed him as he screamed, groaned, laughed and reveled in the music through a nearly two- hour concert without intermission.

 

At the end of the evening, Susan Vita, Chief of the Music Division, took the stage to recognize Palmieri. She presented him with a certificate for his 2009 National Recording Registry induction for his album “Azuca Pa’ Ti” and a facsimile of the first page of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” Palmieri is one of a select few living artists whose work is being preserved by the Library  and who has also performed at the historic Coolidge Auditorium stage.  

                                       

 

Thank you, Palmieri, for your many contributions, your talent and your humanity. Your gifts will remain with us forever.