Ed Palermo Big Band at The Falcon

Ed Palermo is not a “business as usual” musician. His Big Band may deliver Zappa, Hendrix, Paul Butterfield & Mike Bloomfield, Todd Rundgren or one of Ed’s own compositions, with lush turns and twists. The legendary Gil Evans wonderfully articulated Palermo’s unusual approach to traditional instrumentation:

“I first heard Ed Palermo’s music in a small club in the SoHo section of Manhattan. He was using the instrumentation of a traditional big band yet his arrangements and songs were anything but that. When I thought the music was going a certain direction, it would suddenly turn a corner. Ed has the ability to keep that important balance between cohesiveness and unpredictability. Ed Palermo’s music is alive and represents now.” ...

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Ed Palermo is not a “business as usual” musician. His Big Band may deliver Zappa, Hendrix, Paul Butterfield & Mike Bloomfield, Todd Rundgren or one of Ed’s own compositions, with lush turns and twists. The legendary Gil Evans wonderfully articulated Palermo’s unusual approach to traditional instrumentation:

“I first heard Ed Palermo’s music in a small club in the SoHo section of Manhattan. He was using the instrumentation of a traditional big band yet his arrangements and songs were anything but that. When I thought the music was going a certain direction, it would suddenly turn a corner. Ed has the ability to keep that important balance between cohesiveness and unpredictability. Ed Palermo’s music is alive and represents now.”

Ed’s interpretation of the music of iconoclastic composer Frank Zappa has brought him wide recognition. His first CD of this material, “the ed palermo big band plays the music of frank zappa”, garnered rave reviews. Downbeat magazine gave “the ed palermo big band plays the music of frank zappa” a 4-star review. Palermo’s second CD of Zappa material, entitled “Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance” has been received with equal enthusiasm from publications all over the world, including another rave from Downbeat.

The latest release, 'Oh No! Not Jazz!!' consists of two albums - the first explores Ed's distinctive interpretations of Frank Zappa's work and works from original Mothers Of Invention. The second album features Ed's own riotous, colorful compositions, featured here for the first time in over 25 years!

This double album shows that, despite the financial and practical difficulties of running a very large band, there are many musical voices in a big band for showcasing arrangements. This is an exciting listen for fans of Frank Zappa and all adventurers in rock and jazz music.

The Ed Palermo Big Band, an 18 piece ensemble of five woodwind players, four trumpeters, three trombonists, two keyboardists, guitar, violin, bass and drums, is led by alto saxophonist and arranger Ed Palermo, with much of the same personnel spanning 30 years. No one does it with the ease, skill and originality of Ed's band! An impressive feat in itself!

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