Happy 88th Birthday to the “Sun of Latin Music,” Mr. Eddie Palmieri
On December 15, 2024, the music world celebrated the 88th birthday of “El Sonero Mayor,” the legendary ten-time Grammy winner, NEA Jazz Master, American pianist, composer, arranger, bandleader and social advocate, Eddie Palmieri. As the community honors his remarkable life and legacy, we are thrilled to share highlights from our recent conversation before his performance at the historic Coolidge Auditorium on October 18, 2024.
With a career spanning over seven decades, speaking with Maestro Palmieri feels like opening an endless book of stories, filled with surprising turns and rich chapters. We delved into his parents’ journey from Ponce, Puerto Rico, to New York, his early introduction to music, his brother—the great pianist Charlie Palmieri, the Palladium Ballroom, his groundbreaking orchestra La Perfecta, and much more. I only wish we had more time.
In addition to his musical journey, Palmieri shared vivid memories of witnessing the growth of Afro-Caribbean music in New York and around the world, as well as the injustices faced by Black and Latino musicians. He recounted how they were barred from hotel lobbies, how Puerto Ricans were mistreated by nightclub bouncers, and how Miles Davis himself was once beaten outside the Birdland Jazz Club. These stories are a stark reminder of the resilience these artists demonstrate in the face of adversity.
I will always treasure this opportunity to connect with Eddie Palmieri—his humor, his warmth, and his unyielding spirit left a lasting impression. His talent and generosity are as vibrant as ever, and his youthful energy continues to inspire.
If you missed our earlier blog about his engagement at the Library, you can read it here.
