KCRW’s program The Treatment, hosted by Elvis Mitchell, featured musician and producer Bobby Colomby in a conversation reflecting on the life, artistry, and lasting influence of pianist and composer Eddie Palmieri. The interview, published August 15, 2025, provides firsthand insight into Palmieri’s creative process and the impact he had on fellow musicians.

Colomby, a founding member of the group Blood, Sweat & Tears and producer of Palmieri’s landmark 1978 album Lucumí, Macumba, Voodoo, spoke about the experience of collaborating with Palmieri during a period of significant artistic experimentation. He described Palmieri as a singular musical force whose creativity and vision extended beyond conventional boundaries.

The interview highlights Palmieri’s openness to exploration and his willingness to push musical limits in the studio. According to Colomby, the recording sessions for Lucumí, Macumba, Voodoo reflected Palmieri’s fearless approach to composition and performance, blending Afro-Caribbean rhythmic foundations with broader harmonic and stylistic influences.

Colomby also discussed the parallels between Palmieri’s work and other groundbreaking musical innovators, emphasizing Palmieri’s role as an artist whose contributions helped redefine the possibilities of Latin jazz and Afro-Caribbean music. His reflections provide a personal perspective on Palmieri’s influence within the wider musical community.

The KCRW feature underscores Palmieri’s importance not only as a performer and composer, but as a collaborator whose work inspired fellow musicians across genres. His willingness to experiment and challenge convention helped shape the evolution of Latin jazz and influenced generations of artists.

This interview offers a deeper understanding of Eddie Palmieri’s artistic legacy through the perspective of a close collaborator, highlighting the enduring significance of his contributions to modern music.

Source: Elvis Mitchell, “Musician + Producer Bobby Colomby reflects on the late pianist Eddie Palmieri,” KCRW / The Treatment, August 15, 2025.
Listen to the full interview on KCRW