Our new CD
"Eddy Loves Frank"
 available now!

Order yours today:
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Borders
Cuneiform Records

 

Ed and his amazing 16 piece band (+ guests) return with his third album of his distinctive, big-band interpretations of the great 20th century composer, Frank Zappa. This body of work has won them huge acclaim from both new and old fans of the music and they even appeared on NPR's Weekend Edition for a short feature which was heard by millions of listeners in 2006. For those not already familiar with Ed's colorful, jazz-based arrangements of Zappa's compositions, Ed has led a big band for 30 years (!) and has had his band performing the music of Frank Zappa for 15 years. Many years of playing these pieces in front of hugely enthusiastic crowds have honed the band’s skills interpreting Zappa's beautiful but notoriously difficult material to where they are able to perform these challenging charts with apparent ease. All of these musicians are high caliber, hugely talented NYC professional players, and most of them have been playing this music for a decade and a half with this group, not because it is a good paying gig (it isn't) but because they all admire and appreciate the genius of Zappa's work and they love having the opportunity to be able to perform these terrifically exciting charts.

Review from Yahoo Music:

Ed Palermo Big Band: Eddy Loves Frank (Cuneiform)  The third Palermo album of big band interpretations of Frank Zappa material, this disc is marvelous--and precisely what you'd want to play for someone who enjoyed Zappa's Grand Wazoo and Waka Jawaka albums but was put off by the "funny stuff" that followed thereafter. Bandleader Palermo--who fronts this 16-piece band in New York--has created something unique here, and something that accords Zappa all the respect he has long deserved. Seek it out!

Check out more reviews!
 

An interview with Ed Palermo
by Simon Barrett

What a show!
EPBB with Napoleon Murphy Brock
at the DHPAC
February 6, 2009
New Photos!

Photo by Bernard Ente

 

Live at the South Street Seaport, NYC, 6/11/08
Photo by Bernard Ente
 

A message from Ed:

For a variety of reasons, I have decided to stop using Frank Zappa's name in our concert and night club advertising. For one, it's common knowledge at this point that the Zappa Estate frowns on it, so part of my decision is to hopefully placate the estate, though it was never my intention to capitalize on FZ's name and fame. It was strictly to inform the audience of the material they would hear at the shows.

Let it be said that this project, The Ed Palermo Big Band in tribute to the music of Frank Zappa, is and will always be, a money losing proposition.

Those of you who have seen us in performance know that this whole thing is about love, as corny as that sounds. Frank himself would probably wretch at this abject sentimentality, but it's true. Love for Frank's music and for everything he brought to our culture.

From now on, my concerts will be a mixture of music, but Zappa tunes will always be in the forefront. For one, we are about to embark on our third tribute CD which should be released in May 2009. I'm probably more excited about this material than anything I've EVER done, so stay tuned.

So when you check this site for concert information, to get an idea of the exact material we'll be performing, it's best to get on my mailing list so I can send you a personal email detailing what we intend to play.

Fair enough? I sure hope so.
 

Hear our show from WBGO's December 7, 2007 live broadcast from
the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
This show features Jimmy Vivino and Felix Cabrera in a tribute to
the music of Paul Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield.

Click here for WBGO's streaming concert.


Photo by Bernard Ente
 

Iridium, NYC

photo by Kyung Chul-Choi

The Ed Palermo Big Band:
Ed Palermo (arranger, alto saxophone, guitar); Cliff Lyons (alto saxophone, flute, clarinet); Ben Kono (flute, clarinet, tenor saxophone);
Bill Straub (flute, tenor saxophone); Barbara Cifelli (piccolo, flute, baritone saxophones, clarinet); Phil Chester (piccolo, flute, soprano & alto saxophones); 
Ronnie Buttacavoli & John Hines (trumpet); Charlie Gordon & Joe Fiedler (trombone); Matt Ingman (bass trombone);
 Bob Quaranta (piano); Ted Kooshian (harpsichord, organ, synthesizer);
Paul Adamy (electric bass); Ray Marchica (drums); Bruce McDaniel (vocals & guitar)

Click here to send Ed an email.