Charlie Palmieri-The older brother of top pianist Eddie Palmieri. The son of Puerto Rican parents Charlie was born in New York City. He began classical piano studies when he was seven and attended Julliard. During the 40’s and 50’s he made a name for himself in the local Latin scene performing with Tito Puente, Xavier Cugat and jazz flute player Herbie Mann. Influenced by the charanga style of Cuba, Charlie would form Charanga Duboney. Charanga’s main feature was to use flute and violins in the role that the horn section would otherwise play. The album Viva Palmieri would set the stage for the new harmonic and arranging trends that would eventually become the standard for salsa orchestras. By the 1960’s the Charanga craze ended and he changed his group to the Duboney orchestra featuring three trumpets and two trombones. He began a second career in 1969 as a historian and teacher of Latin music and started doubling on organ in the 70’s. He also became musical director for Tito Puente’s television program. Charlie Palmieri’s El Gigante would become an important bridge from Afro-Cuban jazz to salsa then to the Latin jazz of today.
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