Jazz Break at Noon Archive - August 18-22, 2025

Archived Broadcast: August 18-22, 2025

On this edition of the Jazz Break at Noon, we celebrate the monumental life and career of pianist and composer, Eddie Palmieri—the Sun of Latin Music. Hosted by JJ Lopez and special guest, percussionist and bandleader, Henry Brun, host of the Latin Jazz Brunch, heard Sundays, 11am-2pm on KRTU, 91.7 FM.

Eddie Palmieri was a true visionary and a rebel-with-a-cause, who saw no boundaries when it came to music. A catalyst for an entire culture, his artistry inspired generations of musicians, historians, and die-hard salsa and jazz aficionados. An innovative composer and orchestrator, his influence is felt every day in both Latin music and jazz. Palmieri was a genre-defying force, blending salsa and jazz with an unmatched intensity and brilliance. His trailblazing work earned him ten Grammy Awards and the prestigious National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master recognition.

Palmieri died on August 6, 2025 at his home in Hackensack, New Jersey at the age of 88. He leaves behind an expansive discography that proves nothing is impossible. Join us as we pay tribute to the one and only Eddie Palmieri, a true giant of the music world.

“I personally met the Maestro on Dec 2, 1972. I witnessed firsthand a bill that included Eddie Palmieri, Charlie Palmieri, and Mongo Santamaria, amongst others. I haven’t been the same since. Afro Cuban Jazz became my life.” - Henry Brun
 

Listen to each weekday's full broadcast playback below!

Monday

JJ and Henry feature early works from Eddie Palmieri's seminal 1960s ensemble, La Perfecta, showcasing Palmieri's innovations in orchestration and composition.

Tuesday

Chronicling some of Palmieri’s most beloved recordings from the mid-to-late 1960s, JJ and Henry spotlight his arrival on the Tico record label, where he continued to advance his unique stylistic approach to ensemble and instrumentation.

Wednesday

Henry and JJ explore how Eddie Palmieri's music became a reflection of his political stance, examining themes of social justice in his powerful recordings from the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Thursday

JJ and Henry continue their comprehensive survey of Palmieri’s work, delving into his iconic recordings from the 1970s and 1980s, including some of his electrifying live performances.

Friday

For this special closing feature, JJ and Henry explore selections from some of Eddie Palmieri’s final recordings, reflecting on his lasting and innovative impact on the world of Latin music and jazz.