The Ed Palermo Big Band is not your typical jazz ensemble—this is a musical rollercoaster driven by the wild genius of saxophonist and arranger Ed Palermo. Since the late 1970s, Palermo has fused the power of a traditional big band with the rebellious spirit of rock and roll, creating a sound that defies genre and expectation. Known for mind-bending arrangements of artists like Frank Zappa, Todd Rundgren, The Beatles, King Crimson, and Miles Davis, the band performs with an electrifying mix of virtuosity and irreverent humor that leaves audiences breathless and grinning.

Their residency at The Iridium in New York City has become the stuff of legend. Every show sells out as fans—both longtime loyalists and newcomers—flock to experience what has been called the most unpredictable and exhilarating live music event in town. With no two setlists ever the same, a Palermo performance might leap from Zappa to Ellington to Hendrix to Weather Report in the span of a few minutes—always tight, always surprising, and always a party. Palermo’s command of the stage and the band's outrageous energy make each night an unforgettable, genre-bending celebration of music at its most unhinged and joyful.

Beyond their monthly Iridium blowouts, the Ed Palermo Big Band has wowed audiences around the world, from major festivals like Germany’s Zappanale to packed houses across the U.S. Their discography, including The Great Un-American Songbook series and PROG/Fusion: A War of the Ages, is a testament to their boundless creativity and fearless musical range. For anyone who believes live music should be thrilling, unpredictable, and absolutely alive—this is your band.