Eddie Palmieri is one of the best bandleaders around today, Latin or otherwise, combining characteristics of Latin jazz innovators such as Dizzy Gillespie and Tito Puente as well as big band leaders like Ellington and Kenton, not to mention top modern jazz composers and pianists such as Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell. Palmieri’s two-trombone fueled La Perfecta bands were a serious innovation that changed the sound of salsa and Latin jazz forever. He continues to grow as a pianist. He provides complex, energetic arrangements here with the help of trombonist Doug Beavers. Palmieri is an all-around musician who happens to work in the Latin jazz style.

Listen Here! is an excellent CD that finds Palmieri revisiting some classic jazz material, including the Dizzy Gillespie-Chano Panzo vehicle “Tin Tin Deo,” Monk’s “In Walked Bud,” and Horace Silver’s “Nica’s Dream,” as well as the Eddie Harris-penned title track. Palmieri originals provide the rest of the program, and they are tunes that stand up to the classic material Palmieri has chosen to cover, which is no mean feat. In addition, Palmieri surrounds himself with some of the best jazz players around as special guests. Eddie’s own band, most of which has been with him for some time now, provide an excellent base and perform the arrangements with typical tightness and intensity. The guest stars, which include Regina Carter, David Sanchez, John Scofield, and Nicholas Payton, are all well-integrated into the arrangements, with the result that they sound like part of the music rather than soloists merely laid on top of the band.

Sanchez provides the tenor fire on “Tin Tin Deo,” showcasing his chops and expressive playing. Palmieri provides a fiery Latin piano clinic, demonstrating the way that Latin piano and the modern jazz piano work of Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell fit together like hand in glove. Palmieri brings out the ‘Trombanga’ two-bone approach he invented, with Beavers and Conrad Herwig providing the trombone work. “In Walked Bud” takes Monk’s tune to the Palladium and allows Eddie’s band to strut their stuff, with trumpeter Brian Lynch, saxophonist Donald Harrison, and ‘bone player Conrad Herwig all taking solos. Regina Carter is featured on two tracks, “Nica’s Dream” and the opening Palmieri original, “In Flight.” She plays to great effect on both tracks, providing flaming solo work on the former and integrating herself perfectly into the ensemble on the latter. In fact, her strong featured performance on the opening track alerts the listener immediately that he or she is not hearing merely another run-of-the-mill Latin jazz album, but something truly special.

On a couple of tracks the ensemble lays out and Palmieri’s piano comes to the fore as part of a trio. On “Mia Flores” he plays with bassist Christian McBride and ubiquitous tenor sax player Michael Brecker. This 6/8 tune provides Palmieri with a chance to provide the basis for nice solo work by both Brecker and McBride. On “La Gitana” he plays with John Scofield and bassist John Benitez. There’s great interplay between Scofield’s rapid-fire acoustic guitar work and Palmier’s bluesy piano work. Though Scofield almost steals the show, Eddie gets in a gorgeous piano solo that reminds the listener just who the master of ceremonies here is.

Listen Here! Provides plenty of passionate Latin jazz mixed with a program that allows the listener to experience a wide variety of textures and tastes. For Eddie Palmieri it is another jewel in an already impressive recording career.