Honoring Eddie "Sun of Latin Music" Palmieri.

WHEREAS, With over 50 years of excellence as pianist, performer and band leader, Eddie Palmieri is truly an unmistakable gentleman and a legend; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious career, he has been a mover and shaker in the music world beginning his influential 1960’s orchestra, aptly known as “La Perfecta,” which is considered a seminal group that profoundly contributed to the evolution of Salsa and Latin Jazz; and

WHEREAS, Eddie Palmieri is a constant creative force that continuously strives to find innovative ways to fuse the traditional music of his Latino heritage with a wide array of Jazz and Classical influences; and

WHEREAS, His diverse and multicultural approach to music has maintained his status as a highly relevant and prolific performer and contributed to the recording of over 200 songs; and

WHEREAS, He continues to be a tireless advocate for Latino culture, successfully presenting it to diverse international audiences as an art form supremely worthy of analysis and respect in a manner that has earned him respect and admiration of many directly contributed to the creation of the Latin Jazz Grammy categories; and

WHEREAS, His creative genius has led many to name him the “Sun of Latin Music” after the 1970’s recording of the same name, which earned him his first of seven Grammy Awards; and

WHEREAS, Besides being recognized numerous times by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS), including their Grammy Awards Nominations, he has received numerous accolades such as appointment to the New York Chapter of NARAS’s Board of Governors and honorary doctorates from numerous colleges and universities; and

WHEREAS, He is also an active participant in organizations that help fund music programs for inner city children, which led the Annual Benefit for Global Arts and Culture to honor him by showcasing his wide range of musical and cultural influences in his first ever performance in Philadelphia’s prestigious Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in June of 2004; and

WHEREAS, Through his involvement, recordings, performances and advocacy, Eddie Palmieri has been an effective Ambassador for the Latino community, delivering his musical and socially conscious message to over 45 countries and countless more hearts and minds; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNICL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we honor the “Sun of Latin Music” Mr. Eddie Palmieri for his commitment and dedication to the citizens of the world and for his decades of excellence.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Eddie “Sun of Latin Music” Palmieri as evidence of the sincere respect, deep admiration, and high regard this legislative body has for him and his service.

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