Friday night saw the opening of the Adelaide Festival's free late night music spot Barrio, a Spanish word denoting a neighbourhood so it was fitting that the debut act was a Latino band, and not just any Latino band but one featuring some of New York's .finest musicians. Winner of 9 Grammys, Eddie Palmeiri the pianist and leader of the band is a legendary performer now in his mid 70's but still giving an energetic and creative performance. He began his musical career in the era of the mambo and the cha cha cha in the 1950s and '60s at places like New York City's legendary Palladium Ballroom, Puerto Rican-born Palmieri first played timbales in his uncle's orchestra at just 13, and by 15 had taken up piano.
Once the band started playing it's very hard to keep still. Those Latin rhythms just make everyone want to party and they did! Latin dancing is popular and the word gets out that a Latino band is in town those sexy latin dancers appear! Palmeiri admits to having two left feet himself but in a recent interview with the Age he commented on the eve of his Australian tour We're excited because we bring happiness to whoever listens to us or whoever dances to our music.''
Palmeiri's musical style is known as Nu Yorrican music, a blend of Puerto Rican salsa with New York Latin jazz. The sextet featured trumpeter Brian Lynch who is well known in jazz circles as a leader and sidesman. He has recorded a Grammy award winning album with Palmeri. The tunes are all instrumental and all original and all featured solos from the band members. Lynch and the sax player Laurence Bechet led the melodies and the rhythm section was led by Jose Claussell (timbales) and also featuring upright bass and congas Most of the numbers were long with stretched out angular solos from all members of the band and infectious poly rhythms At times the Clauseel on timbales played a syncopated rhythm while the congas player played straight rhythms and the bass played some of each!
It was a night for a party and this was the perfect band to give the right atmosphere! Everyone I talked to loved the band. The lady next me brought her knitting in case she was bored but she didn't take it out once! One word for this band...HOT HOT HOT!
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