The Ed Palermo Big Band, led by saxophonist and composer Ed Palermo, was formed in New York City in 1977. Born in New Jersey on January 1st, 1950, Palermo began playing alto saxophone and guitar in high school. He later switched to tenor saxophone and moved to New York. In 1977, Palermo assembled a nine-piece band that eventually expanded into the Ed Palermo Big Band. Their first LP, Papier Mache, was released in 1982 under the label Vile Heifer. The band performed a tribute to Frank Zappa following his death in 1993, leading to a residency at The Bottom Line and albums such as Plays the Music of Frank Zappa (1997).
