Music Icon Eddie Palmieri to Release New Album “Sabiduria”

Eddie Palmieri Announces First New Album Since 2006

*Grammy-Winning Music Icon Celebrates 80th Birthday With Release Of ‘Sabiduria’ featuring Donald Harrison Jr, Marcus Miller, Alfredo de la Fe, Joe Locke, Johnny Rivero, Ronnie Cuber and more*

Release Date: April 21st 2017

Two Thousand Sixteen – A challenging year on planet Earth. We’ve honored many of our musical heroes, and reconsidered the value of music in our lives. The battles for justice and peace that have dominated the last 50 years have been brought to the forefront as we also question the values of our fast-moving world. And through it all the creators continue to explore, and bring new and interesting music to the world.

Eddie Palmieri’s influence on the world of modern music is often celebrated, but just as often underestimated. As he completes his 80th year with us, his energy and commitment seem to be increasing, as if to fully emphasize the power of not just the music but also the cross-cultural importance of the process. With no sign of slowing, Mr. Palmieri is the elder of a global culture of musicians, actively teaching young students and leading the way for the next generation. And now Mr. Palmieri brings to the world his first project since his back to back Grammy wins in 2005/2006 – SABIDURIA. Sabiduria is the Spanish word for WISDOM, and the message is clear from the outset that wisdom is the exalted value that should guide us all. His intent with Sabiduria, as it has been with all of his recordings, is to create art that will be analyzed and understood well beyond his time.

Many elements of style can be found within the experience of SABIDURIA – funk, soul, jazz and pop are all present alongside the guiding force of rhythm. This is music you can sit to, drive to, and of course, DANCE to. The album features appearances from Donald Harrison Jr, Marcus Miller, Alfredo de la Fe, Joe Locke, Johnny Rivero, Ronnie Cuber, and David Spinnoza. SABIDURIA may well be the best Latin Jazz record ever made, and when the dance is over we will let history decide.

‘We are honored, humbled, and thrilled to represent Mr. Palmieri and his true spirit of independence. We encourage you to listen, dance, and celebrate with us the living legend – Mr. Eddie Palmieri – at his top form.’ (Louis Marks, Ropeadope)

Born in 1936 in New York, Mr. Eddie Palmieri is a bandleader, arranger, and composer who has skillfully fused the rhythm of his Puerto Rican heritage with the complexity of his jazz influences. He gained international attention as a piatesynist in the 1950’s, playing with Eddie Forrester and the popular Tito Rodriguez Orchestra, among others. In 1961 he formed La Perfecta, featuring an unconventional front line of trombones that created a new sound, mixing American Jazz into Afro-Caribbean rhythms and leading to the trombone-heavy Salsa explosion in the 1970s. Throughout the 60s and 70s Mr. Palmieri continued to surprise fans and critics with his unique sound – in 1970 he released the epic ‘Harlem River Drive’, merging Black and Latin music into a free-form sound that seamlessly blends elements of funk, soul, rock, salsa, and jazz. In 1975 Mr. Palmieri was awarded the very first Grammy for Best Latin Recording; this would be the first of ten Grammys over the next 30 years. His lyrics and arranging style have influenced countless musicians from a diverse array of settings, including Chick Corea, Ruben Blades, Willie Colon and the Fania All Stars, Christian McBride, and hip hop pioneer Bobbito Garcia.

The list of Mr. Palmieri’s honors includes:

Eubie Blake Award (1991)
Yale University’s Chubb Fellowship (2002)
Harlem Renaissance Award (2005)
Library Of Congress inclusion of ‘Azucar Pa’ Ti’ to the National Recording Registry (2009)
Smithsonian Archive Recordings (1988)
National Endowment For The Arts Jazz Master (2013)
Lifetime Achievement Award – Latin Academy Of Recording Arts & Sciences

Sabiduria is the first of several projects expected from Mr. Palmieri as he continues to lead express his vision of Unity and multiculturalism through music.

Personnel:
Eddie Palmieri (piano), Joe Locke (vibes), Anthony Carrillo (bongo, cowbell), Little Johnny Rivero (conga), Luis Quintero (timbales), Luques Curtis (bass), Obed Calvaire (drums)
Guests include Bernard Purdie, Ronnie Cuber, Xavier Rivera, Iwao Sado, Camilo Molina, Donald Harrison, Alfredo de la Fe, David Spinozza, Louis Fouche, and Marcus Miller.
(Joe Locke appears courtesy of Motema Music)

Tom Estey Publicity and Promotion