Ed Palermo Big Band
| The Ed Palermo Big Band | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Genres | Jazz, Rock |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Labels | Vile Heifer, Pro Jazz Records, Astor Place Records, Cuneiform Records |
| Website | www.palermobigband.com |
The Ed Palermo Big Band is a big band that has been active for over 35 years playing the compositions and arrangements of their leader and namesake Ed Palermo. They are best known for Ed's arrangements of the music of Frank Zappa. To date they have released two LP records of original content and four CDs of arrangements of Frank Zappa music. Their most recent CD, "OH NO!! NOT JAZZ!!" is a double disc affair-one disc Zappa, the other disc Palermo's originals.
Ed Palermo
Ed Palermo started playing the alto saxophone and the guitar in high school. By that point he already knew that he wanted to be a musician. Early influences that pushed him in that direction were the Beatles and the Mothers of Invention.[1] Palermo also discovered a love for the music of Edgar Winter while in high school. This inspired him to emulate musicians such as Cannonball Adderley, Phil Woods,[2] and Charlie Parker. In college he switched from alto saxophone to tenor saxophone due to influences from John Coltrane, Michael Brecker, and David Liebman. After graduating college, Palermo moved to New York in order to become a jazz tenor saxophonist. At this point, an album called “Impact” by Charles Tolliver inspired him to try his hand at arranging. Palermo looked to his friend Dave LaLama, already an arranger, for advice and he began to compose and arrange music.[3] Soon he began playing with Tito Puente, and during this time Palermo assembled a group which later expanded into the Ed Palermo Big Band.[4]
Early years
In 1977 Ed Palermo assembled a nine-piece band to play his own compositions. The band expanded into a big band and began a three year residency at a New York club called Seventh Ave. South. During this time the band played primarily compositions by Palermo as well as his arrangements of other music. After three years the Ed Palermo Big Band was replaced by Gil Evans.[3]
In 1982 the Ed Palermo Big Band recorded their first LP and released it as “Ed Palermo” under a label called Vile Heifer. Later the LP became known as “Papier Mache” after the first song on the album. This LP featured guests such as Randy Brecker, David Sanborn, and Edgar Winter. The material on this album was mostly Palermo’s original work, except for a few pieces that were co-written.[3]
Due to the hassle involved in producing an album under one’s own label, the Ed Palermo Big Band did not release another album until a record company showed interest. This happened in 1987. “Ping Pong” was released under the label of Pro Jazz Records and featured much different material from the Ed Palermo Big Band’s first LP. This album featured less complicated music and more swing. From 1987 to 1993 the band alternated shows between the clubs Visiones and the Bitter End.[3]
Recent years
The band had been playing shows of original music at the New York City club the Bitter End. After Frank Zappa’s death in 1993, Palermo decided to play a show of all Frank Zappa music. Before the show, Palermo posted up a notice for the show on an internet Zappa bulletin board. The turnout to the show was the largest that the Ed Palermo Big Band had had to date.
"Up until then, my own shows at the Bitter End were drawing next to nobody," said Palermo. "For some reason, the word got out about the Zappa show and the place was swamped. And it was incredibly exciting--people there were Zappa fanatics.”[5]
The original idea was for only one tribute concert. However the band was contacted by Alan Pepper of the Bottom Line. This began a nine-year residency for the Ed Palermo Big Band at the Bottom Line. For these shows the Ed Palermo Big Band played primarily arrangements (done by Ed Palermo) of Frank Zappa songs, however each show was different from the one before it. The band often featured special guests at these shows such as Zappa alums Mike Keneally and Ike Willis.[6]
In 1997 the Ed Palermo Big Band recorded their first Zappa CD. “The Ed Palermo Big Band Plays the Music of Frank Zappa,” also known as “Big Band Zappa,” was released on Astor Place.
After nine years at the Bottom Line (1994 to 2003) the Ed Palermo Big Band took a break from regular shows for a period of about a year.[7] After that they began another series of regular shows at the Iridium in New York City. This series of shows has lasted for ten years and features primarily arrangements of Frank Zappa music.
In 2006 the Ed Palermo Big Band released their second CD, “Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance” under the label of Cuneiform Records.
In 2009 the Ed Palermo Big Band released their third CD. “Eddy Loves Frank” was released under the label of Cuneiform Records.
In February, 2014, "OH NO!! NOT JAZZ!!" was released to rave reviews, including a 4-star review in DOWNBEAT magazine.
Ed Palermo is also a committed music teacher at the prominent music school, Hoff/Barthelson in Scarsdale, NY. He is often seen parading around the school with his alto saxophone, which currently has a photograph of Frank Zappa's head taped onto the bell.
Roster[8]
| Name | Instrument(s) |
|---|---|
| Ed Palermo | Arranger, Alto Saxophone, Guitar |
| Ronnie Buttacavoli | Trumpet |
| John Bailey | Trumpet |
| Charlie Gordon | Trombone |
| Joe Fiedler | Trombone |
| Matt Ingman | Bass Trombone |
| Cliff Lyons | Alto Saxophone, Clarinet |
| Phil Chester | Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute |
| Ben Kono | Tenor Saxophone, Flute |
| Bill Straub | Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet |
| Barbara Cifelli | Baritone Saxophone |
| Bob Quaranta | Acoustic Piano |
| Ted Kooshian | Synthesizer |
| Paul Adamy | Bass Guitar |
| Ray Marchica | Drums |
| Bruce McDaniel | Guitar, Vocals |
| Katie Jacoby | Violin |
Special Guests
- Napoleon Murphy Brock
- Gary Lucas
- Felix Cabrera
- Mike Keneally
- Mike Stern
- Elliott Randall
- John Sebastian
- Ike Willis
- Howard Levy
- Carl Restivo
- Wycliffe Gordon
- Deb Lyons
- George Naha
- Candy Zappa
- Catherine Russell
- Mats & Morgan
- Jimmy Vivino
- Russ Bonagura
- John Tabacco
- Rob Paparozzi
- Tom Bowes
- Denny Walley
- Will Lee
Discography
Papier Mache (Released as "Ed Palermo")
1982 Vile Heifer
| Song Title | Featured Soloist(s) |
|---|---|
| Papier Mache | Edgar Winter (Alto Sax and Organ) |
| Complete Control | Ed Palermo (Alto Sax), Kim Plainfield (Drums), Bob Quaranta (Piano) |
| Before Max | Ed Palermo (Alto Sax), Randy Brecker (Trumpet) |
| Dusty | Jim Clouse (Soprano Sax) |
| Different People Differently | Dave Glenn (Trombone) |
| An Escape Nonetheless | David Sanborn (Alto Sax) |
Ping Pong
1987 Pro Jazz Records
| Song Title | Featured Soloist(s) |
|---|---|
| Ping Pong | Rick Savage (Trumpet) |
| All Out | Ed Palermo (Alto Sax) |
| 3 Views of a Secret | Chuck Wilson (Alto Sax) |
| Who's the Goose | Rick Savage (Trumpet) |
| Ratphobia | Bud Burridge (Trumpet) |
| Mood for Maude | Matt Finders (Trombone) |
| Darkness | Tom Malone (Trombone) |
| Perry Mason | Chuck Wilson (Alto Sax) |
| Goodnight | Al Hunt (Oboe) |
| Bitch's Crystal | Bob Quaranta (Piano) |
| Your Spleen Perhaps | Ed Palermo (Alto Sax) |
| I.G.Y. | Jim Clouse (Tenor Sax) |
The Ed Palermo Big Band Plays the Music of Frank Zappa (aka Big Band Zappa)
1997 Astor Place Records
| Song Title | Featured Soloist(s) |
|---|---|
| Peaches en Regalia | Mike Keneally (Guitar) |
| Toads of the Short Forest | Bob Mintzer (Tenor Sax), Ed Palermo (Alto Sax), Ted Kooshian (Organ) |
| Who Are the Brain Police? / Holiday In Berlin (Excerpt) | Mike Stern (Guitar) |
| Twenty Small Cigars | Dave Samuels (Vibraphone) |
| King Kong | Bob Mintzer (Tenor Sax) |
| Aybe Sea / Inca Roads (Excerpt) | Mike Keneally (Guitar) |
| Waka Jawaka / Son of Orange County (Excerpt) | Chris Potter (Tenor Sax) |
| Sofa No. 1 | Ed Palermo (Alto Sax), Dave Samuels (Vibraphone) |
| The Little House I Used To Live In / Mother People (Excerpt) | Mike Stern (Guitar) |
| Heavy Duty Judy / Grand Wazoo (Excerpt) | Ray Marchica (Drums), Ed Palermo (Alto Sax) |
| Carnival of the Animals (Finale) | Ted Kooshian (Keyboard), Bob Quaranta (Keyboard) |
| We Are Not Alone | Mike Stern (Guitar), Mike Keneally (Guitar), Ed Palermo (Guitar) |
| wai, fn? |
Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance
2006 Cuneiform Records
| Song Title | Featured Soloist(s) |
|---|---|
| RDNZL | Ed Palermo (Alto Sax), Charles Gordon (Trombone), Bob Quaranta (Piano), Ted Kooshian (Synthesizer), Ray Marchica (Drums) |
| Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance | Joe Fiedler (Trombone), Ben Kono (Tenor Sax) |
| Dwarf Nebula Procession March & Dwarf Nebula | Cliff Lyons (Alto Sax) |
| Pound For A Brown On The Bus | Ray Marchica (Drums), Ed Palermo (Alto Sax), Ted Kooshian (Synthesizer), Bill Straub (Tenor Sax) |
| Sleep Dirt | Phil Chester (Soprano Sax) |
| Gumbo Variations | Dave Riekenberg (Tenor Sax), Carl Restivo (Guitar) |
| Mom and Dad / Oh No | Carl Restivo (Vocals), Ed Palermo (Alto Sax) |
| Moggio | Ted Kooshian (Synthesizer), Bob Quaranta (Piano), Ray Marchica (Drums) |
Eddy Loves Frank
2009 Cuneiform Records
| Song Title | Featured Soloist(s) |
|---|---|
| Night School | Ed Palermo (Alto Sax) |
| Echidna's Arf (Of You) | Cliff Lyons (Alto Sax), Bill Straub (Tenor Sax), Charles Gordon (Trombone), John Hines (Trumpet) |
| Regyptian Strut | Phil Chester (Soprano Sax), Joe Fiedler (Trombone) |
| Don't You Ever Wash That Thing? | Ben Kono (Tenor Sax), Ray Marchica (Drums), Ted Kooshian (Synthesizer), Ed Palermo (Alto Sax), Bruce McDaniel(Guitar) |
| Dupree's Paradise | Bob Quaranta (Piano) |
| What's New in Baltimore | Bob Quaranta (Piano), Ben Kono (Tenor Sax) |
| Let's Move to Cleveland | Ted Kooshian (Synthesizer), Ronnie Buttacavoli (Trumpet) |
| America the Beautiful | Ted Kooshian (Synthesizer), Bruce McDaniel (Lead Vocals) |
OH NO!! NOT JAZZ!!
ZAPPA DISC
| SONG TITLE | Featured Soloist(s) |
|---|---|
| INCA ROADS | vocals:Napoleon Murphy Brock; solos: Bruce McDaniel (guitar), Ed Palermo (alto sax), Bob Quaranta (piano) |
| THE UNCLE MEAT VARIATIONS | solo: Bruce McDaniel (guitar) |
| LITTLE UMBRELLAS | solo: Charley Gordon (trombone) |
| THE DOG BREATH VARIATIONS | solos: Joe Fiedler (trombone), Phil Chester (soprano sax) |
| CHUNGA'S REVENGE | solo: Katie Jacoby (violin) |
| LUMPY GRAVY | solos: Ronnie Buttacavoli (trumpet), Bill Straub (tenor sax) |
| THE BLACK PAGE | solo: Cliff Lyons (alto sax) |
| AMERICA DRINKS AND GOES HOME | vocals: Mike James; solos: Phil Chester (soprano sax), Bill Straub (tenor sax) |
PALERMO DISC
| SONG TITLE | Featured Soloist(s) |
|---|---|
| MOOSH | solos: Katie Jacoby (violin), Ed Palermo (alto sax) |
| PRELUDE TO AN INSULT | solos: Barbara Cifelli (bari sax), Ed Palermo (alto sax) |
| WHY IS THE DOCTOR BARKING? | solo: Ted Kooshian (organ) |
| PRELUDE TO A CATASTROPHE | solo: John Palermo (mandolin) |
| A CATASTROPHE (IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER) | solo: Ben Kono (tenor sax) |
| LET'S REPRODUCE | solo: Ray Marchica (drums) |
| AN ESCAPE NONETHELESS | solo: Bill Straub (soprano sax) |
| NOSTALGIA REVISITED (for Susan) | solo: Ed Palermo (alto sax) |
| THE INSULT | solo: Ed Palermo (alto sax) |
| GOOD NIGHT, EVERYBODY! GOD LOVE YA! | solo: Charley Gordon (trombone) |
| SHE'S SO HEAVY | solos: John Hines (trumpet), Joe Fiedler (trombone) |
References
- ↑ Avedissian, Eric (May 25, 2006). "O.C.'s Ed Palermo has new CD out. Big Band: 'Take Off Your Clothes When You Dance'". Ocean City Sentinel.
- ↑ Palermo, Ed (December 23, 2007). "Zappa and Jazz". All About Jazz. Retrieved April 17, 2009.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Colli, Beppe (July 12, 2006). "An Interview With Ed Palermo". Clouds and Clocks. Retrieved April 18, 2009.
- ↑ Stewart, Zan (August 7, 2008). "Palermo inspired by music of Zappa and Butterfield". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved April 18, 2009.
- ↑ Wheeler, Drew (December 14, 1998). "Ed Palermo Big Band Still Freaking Out the Bottom Line". Retrieved April 17, 2009.
- ↑ Taylor, Joseph (April 15, 2008). "Zappafied". www.SoundStageAV.com. Retrieved April 19, 2009.
- ↑ Carr, Brian (July 25, 2003). "The Ed Palermo Big Band Plays the Music of Frank Zappa". The Bottom Line. Retrieved April 19, 2009.
- ↑ Adamy, Paul. "Band Members". EPBB Homepage. Retrieved April 18, 2009.