Emilio began leading a group of young musicians by age twelve. In high school, he established himself with the group “Summer Voyage” playing organ, piano and lead singing top forty songs at local concerts, clubs, and school events.
After studying privately throughout high school, and performing with several bands,
Emilio was graciously awarded a state scholarship to attend Fredonia State University to further his music education.
While studying at Fredonia, Emilio composed, arranged, and was elected to direct the Fredonia Jazz Ensemble program for four years, touring the east coast, conducting clinics, and performing at major jazz festivals, winning “Outstanding Composer/Arranger” and “Outstanding Ensemble” awards at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival in 1977.
After graduating from SUNY Fredonia in 1977 with a BA in Music, Emilio was hired by the university to teach music theory, jazz arranging, improvisation, and private instruction for piano. During this time, Jenson Publications and Kendor Music published Emilio’s scores for big band.
Halfway to his Master’s Degree, Emilio decided to leave school, and pursue his musical career as a composer, arranger and performer with his own big band, which lead to his first commercial recording, "Make Room”. The original LP received great acclaim on the jazz scene, from top critics such as George Beck (WBW) and Dale Anderson (The Buffalo News), which spawned a series of concerts in which Emilio headlined with major artists such as Tony Bennett, Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton, and Stanley Turrentine.
As Emilio was beginning to make a name for himself in the more traditional jazz scene of the east coast, he found a new love for the more modern R&B/Jazz/Funk movement of the west coast and moved to Los Angeles in 1978.
Over the next several years, he performed and recorded with many artists on the L.A. contemporary jazz scene, building a reputation that eventually landed him the coveted seat as accompanist/conductor for the legendary jazz/pop star Miss Peggy Lee.
More than just an accompanist, Emilio co-wrote, “Circle In The Sky” with Miss Lee, the song that “represented the full circle she’d described in her lifetime”…biographer Peter Richmond described in: "Fever: The Life and Music of Miss Peggy Lee".
During his expansive eleven-year collaboration with Miss Lee, Emilio performed with major acts including: Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, George Burns, Count Basie, The Milwaukee, Pittsburgh Symphonies and The Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl which lead to performances with: Paul Williams, Mamas and the Papas, Andy Williams, Connie Stevens, The Joffrey Ballet, Lanie Kazan, Sha Na Na, Chuck Mangione, Mike Garson, Mark Winkler, Junko Yagami, Ernie Watts, Sam Riney, eight CD’s with world renowned guitarist, Grant Geissman, and on the set of TV shows: “Cheers”, “Fraiser”, “Friends”, “Just Shoot Me”, and “News Radio”. and in 1990, Chase Music Group released Emilio’s critically acclaimed CD "Home Free".
In addition to his own albums, he has produced/arranged/performed on several other projects including:
Amarna's "Shadow Play", (#8 on Japan’s “J-Wave” Top 100), Mike Garson's "Screen Themes '93", as well as Mark Winkler's "Color Of Love" (AC Top 10), John Chiodini's "Weightless", “Back To The Future” star, Tom Wilson's “In The Name Of The Father”, and Bulgarian pianist Emile Lambrev’s "Nostalgic Dream" (Cover art by Emilio’s wife, Ellen Kobayashi).
After spending several years producing/arranging and recording tracks with many artists in Los Angeles, Emilio began his career in film/television by conducting and orchestrating the score to the CBS Afternoon Special “Love In The Dark Ages” for world renowned keyboardist Mike Garson, composing/orchestrating, Discovery Channel’s “Movie Magic: Tornadoes”, selected cues for “King of the Hill”, on FOX TV and national ad campaigns for The Travel Channel, TWA, Best Stores, and Stacker II.
Eventually, Emilio invited his son, Emerson, to co-write a commercial for “Mercedes Benz World Racing” video game promotion and then subsequently composed several commercials, provided beds for “Smart Sound” (ESPN), and Network Music libraries, (“Desperate Housewives”).
Their break as writers came because of “Fairly Odd Parents” composer Guy Moon’s recommendation to "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide" producer Scott Fellows on Nickelodeon. As father and son they composed fifty-three episodes of “Ned’s” and received critical acclaim from television and music professionals alike for the theme and their underscoring. In August 2006, Keyboard Magazine featured their work in a three-page article in the “How To” section, highlighting their skills as composers and producers.
In 2007, Emilio composed, arranged and produced the original score to the independent film, "The Waiting Room", featured at the Cannes Film Festival…the story of an unlikely heart transplant between two families: one Jewish, the other Palestinian who consider each other the ultimate enemy…empathetically, Emilio’s music is dramatic heartfelt and sublime.
Currently, Emilio is continuing his work as a studio musician, producer, arranger and bandleader.
His new CD, “Be Who You Are” with art again from wife Ellen Kobayashi, reveals his passion as songwriter, keyboardist, and vocalist, and has garnered such critical praise as “best indie music project of 2009 in any genre”…Jonathan Widren (Jazziz and AMG)
Buy the new CD from :- CD Baby
Website :- www.emiliopalame.com
