Eddie Palmieri Celebrates 50 Years Of Latin Jazz At Mayne Stage

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 16, 2012 7:30PM

Eddie Palmieri shows few signs of slowing down. The jazz legend, who turned 75 last December, is celebrating 50 years of blending jazz piano with the rhythms of Latin dance styles, adding shadings beyond the norm.

When Palmieri formed Conjunto La Perfecta in 1961, Charanga was the popular Latin dance style. Orchestras playing music for the dance were required to carry a flautist and violins. Palmieri stood those requirements on end and added a full brass section. Over the ensuing decades, Palmieri walked the balance between straight up dance music and jazz sensibility and served as an influence to a generation of Latin jazz players. Though he "retired" from music in 2000, Simpatico, his 2005 album with longtime band member Brian Lynch as leader, won a Grammy.

Lynch makes a good foil for Palmieri's flights on the keyboard. He has a good ear for space and solid arrangement skills honed by years of supporting Palmieri. On Sunday, April 22, at 7 p.m., Palmieri and Lynch bring a quartet to Mayne Stage that will feature Dafnis Prieto on drums and Luques Curtis on bass as a celebration of a half-century of music.

This is a rare opportunity to catch a legend of jazz in an intimate setting. Mayne Stage has what may be the best acoustics of any venue in Chicago outside of Lincoln Hall and a wide dance floor. If you aren't dancing at this show, you have a problem.

The Eddie Palmieri-Brian Lynch Quartet plays Mayne Stage (1328 W. Morse) 7 p.m., April 22. Doors open at 5 p.m. and tickets ($37-$65) are available online or by calling 866-468-3401.