Eddie Palmieri

Thank you to everyone who has organized this important press conference and for allowing me this opportunity.

We all know why we are here, so let me get right down to it.

The Board of Trustees should be quite embarrassed about what they have done, particularly with how egregiously they have done it.  This is a brazen act of disrespect to the musicians, songwriters, producers, booking agents, managers, major record and independent labels, of each genre affected by the cuts.

The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences was founded in 1958 but it was not until 1975 that the Academy first recognized Latin Music only because of the pioneering efforts of the most successful Latin record label at the time, (to which I was not signed), named Fania Records.  I happened to receive that first Grammy and it was presented to me by Mr. Chick Corea, a legendary jazz musician whom I greatly esteem.  I dedicated that tremendous honor to the great Tito Rodriguez, who had passed away just two years before.  In my opinion, Mr. Rodriguez should have won dozens of Grammys had our music been welcomed into the Academy during the mambo heyday.  One thing I would like to point out here is that it was only 1 Grammy given to represent all of the different sounds and styles that encompass the vast Latin landscape.  The category was wrongly titled then, but it was a start, a new beginning for us and we were hopeful that eventually better categorization would take place over the years, which eventually happened little by little.

In 1994, I presented my Latin jazz octet to the nominating committee at B Smith’s, here in New York.  I was a Governor of the NY Chapter at the time and worked hard lobbying for the creation of the Latin Jazz Category, which was greatly needed and long overdue.  The importance of Latin jazz cannot and should not be discounted.  It represents such a significant part of America’s history, but particularly that of New York.  These cuts have discredited our historical importance and wounded cultural pride for so very many.

I, as well as my peers, continuously travel all over the world, presenting Latin jazz music to the most prestigious international bandstands with great pride, and you have now taken away our legitimacy at home, by way of this category, from us, by force.

To that end, I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to each individual that made that decision.  The young players that are in school studying now, or have just come out to the performing scene have very little to look forward to as a consequence of the decision you have made.  I have encouraged them to become part of NARAS to help effectuate the change we need, and I am not surprised when I get kickback that they do not believe in the Academy, what it allegedly represents, nor what it stands for.  Some have suggested doing their own independent show in reaction.  I can empathize where they are coming from, however, I do not believe that we become legitimate or effective through segregation, it is only through true integration and acceptance for who we are that the barrier is overcome; which is why I have never, nor ever will, support the Latin Grammys because I do not believe in musical apartheid.  I have said it before and will say again now, there are no two Emmys, two Tonys or two Oscars.

There can be no doubt that this is a serious attack on the Latin culture as well as each and every other category that has been eliminated. Since we were never given air time the excuse here cannot be to shorten the length of the program on television, as we never had been extended that courtesy and had to accept the award in the afternoon long before the telecast begins.

We were told at the meeting in April that categories such as Pop can generate 700 submissions and “niche” categories like ours only generate upwards of 30, (the minimum used to always be 25).  We were told that bestowing a Grammy to a group that had 700 submissions is worth far more than a Grammy bestowed to a group that had roughly 30 submissions.  That has to be the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.  Either way, you have to come down to the best in any group, irrespective of the number of submissions.  The prestige of the Grammy is not affected by a number of submissions a particular group may or may not have, the prestige of the Grammy is lost through insensitive actions like these that are hurtful, demeaning and unjust; that were done behind our backs, behind closed doors, with no warning, consideration or communication to its Members.

What the Board of Trustees of NARAS and their secret sub-committee have done to us and every other genre that has been cut is the highest degree of original musical sin and they have proven themselves to be unqualified nuisances for their pandering to the hit parade.

It is beyond my comprehension that Latin Jazz, a genre that is greatly revered by the world, is not supported by the most prestigious organization of the Music Industry, in the very country where it was conceived.

Thank You,

Eddie Palmieri