Happy 88th Birthday to Maestro Eddie Palmieri 12/15/24 plus Live Music Notes

Happy 88th Birthday to the maestro Eddie Palmieri who was born on this date in 1936. Eddie has over 6 decades of a musical legacy full with phenomenal live performances and classic recordings in both the Salsa and Latin Jazz realm. Eddie started his solo career after leaving the popular Tito Rodriguez orchestra in 1960. Eddie created a new innovative sound combining a front line of trombones with a flute rather than the traditional trumpet approach in his horn section with his acclaimed orchestra “La Perfecta” back in 1961. He has set a high standard in excellence in the choice of musicians that have performed in his bands throughout the years. Eddie is a 10 time Grammy Award winner and a NEA Jazz Master.

Eddie has just announced that he’s stepping back from performing and touring per Doctor’s orders for the second time in the past 2 years. Eddie has just played a series of residencies with his Latin Jazz band at the Blue Note in New York as well as large outdoor concerts with his acclaimed Salsa orchestra in the past year. I wish Eddie the very best in hopes that he can bounce back from his health issues. Feliz Cumpleaños Eddie…We love you and wish you the best of health and many more years!

Events happening this week: Spanish Harlem Orchestra led by pianist Oscar Hernandez will bring their “Fiesta Navideña” to the SF Jazz Center this coming Saturday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, Dec. 22 for a 2 pm matinee show at the Minor Auditorium. SHO is bringing their repertoire of slammin’ Salsa along with a joyus latin rework of Christmas classics to delight both the listener and the dancer. By the way, open dance floor for both of these shows. Go to www.sfjazz.org for tickets and information. Run to get your tickets since these shows do sell out!

Renowned SF Bay Percussionist/promoter Javier Navarette continues to be busy this year with three shows coming up this week. He’s part of the Young Lions and Ol’ Alley Cats group playing the final Wednesday Annex Session free show, this Wednesday, Dec. 18th starting at 6 pm at the El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company Annex, 10367 San Pablo Avenue in El Cerrito. Besides Navarette, the band features his brother trombonist Raul Navarette, trescero/guitarist Kai Lyons, bassist Yadier Noa Chamble and percussionist Jeff Pierre. The series is produced by Navarette, radio personality/dj and grocery manager Jose Ruiz and Sunjams Productions.

Navarette’s new project “Charangui” combining Charanga and Changui music will debut at the Baila monthly at La Peña in Berkeley this Friday, Dec. 20th starting at 7:30 pm. The band will start at 10 pm featuring an all star band of heavyweights with violin virtuoso Anthony Blea, Kai Lyons, Einar Tito Lelibre, Eduardo Herrera, Raul Navarette, Marco Diaz, Saul Sierra, Julio Areas and special guest Marlo Barragan. For more info…go to lapena.org. If that wasn’t enough, Navarette will join the current line or Anthony Blea’s beloved band “Charanson” joining vinyl dj Carlos Way on Saturday, Dec. 21st starting at 9 pm at La Casa De Vinilos at the Yeti Sports Bar, 3290 Adeline Street in Berkeley.