Gomez, Eddie (Edgar)
Gomez, Eddie (Edgar)
Gomez, Eddie (Edgar), jazz-rock fusion bassist;b. Santurce, P.R., Oct. 4, 1944. After moving to N.Y., he took up the bass at age 12, and joined the Newport Jazz Festival Youth Band two years later (1959-61). After studies at N.Y/s H.S. of Music and Art and the Juilliard School (1962-65), he played with Rufus Jones, Marian McPartland, Gary MacFarland, and Dixieland groups. He was associated with Paul Bley and Milford Graves in the early 1960s, and recorded for the ESP label with various groups. He is best known for his long tenure with Bill Evans (1966-79). He later brought his excellent technique to the electric bass, though he preferred playing amplified acoustic bass in fusion sessions. He co-founded the group Steps (later Steps Ahead, 1979-82). From 1988, he has led his own group, touring throughout the world, including a concert in Moscow in 1992. He has also continued to guest and do session work, and has appeared as a soloist with avant-garde classical ensembles, including the Kronos Quartet.
Discography
Down Stretch (1976); Gomez (1984); Discovery (1985); Trio (1986); Mezgo (1986); Street Smart (1990); Next Future (1993).
—Lewis Porter