Michael Palermo

Background

Michael C. Palermo born September 2, 1971) is an American educator, band director, and performing artist. He is known for his work in music education as well as his career as a saxophonist and recording artist. Palermo has released multiple solo albums, performed internationally, and worked as a clinician and guest artist with numerous jazz ensembles. He serves as Band Director at Mayfield City School District in Ohio and has been recognized for his contributions to both education and performance. He has also become an author to two very distinguished books geared towards saxophone development and techniques for jazz programs.

Awards and Recognition

Palermo was inducted into the Edinboro University Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame in 2007 and has also received national recognition for contributions to music education through the National Association for Music Education (2020s).

Musical Achievements

The following are a list of Palermo’s notable musical achievements throughout his career:

• Nominated multiple times for the Disney Teaching Award.
• Received the Mayfield Teaching Award from the district’s “Top 40” recognition program twelve times.
• Earned multiple company endorsements during his career.
• Performed internationally, including a concert at the Eiffel Tower in 1998.
• Led high school ensembles in performances at Disney, Hawaii, DeKalb, Illinois, and other locations across the United States.
• Directed the Mayfield Band in a performance at Pearl Harbor.
• Performed as a saxophonist and band member for professional sports organizations, including the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Guardians, Cleveland Monsters, and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
• Collaborated and performed with acclaimed artists such as Eric Marienthal, Allen Vizzutti, Denis DiBlasio, Vaughn Nark, Dave Samuels, Jay Beckenstein, Steve Gadd, Jeff Coffin, Jeff Kashiwa, Dominic Spera, among others.
• Several of his singles reached Apple iTunes Top Charts.
• His album sales have exceeded 150,000 worldwide.

Equipment

• Selmer Mark VI Alto Saxophone with a Beechler mouthpiece with a size 6 (.085 inch) tip opening and Oleg ligature
• Selmer Mark VI Tenor Saxophone with a Beechler Mouthpiece and Oleg Ligature
• Yamaha YSS 62 Soprano Saxophone with a Selmer Super Session #H mouthpiece and Harrison ligature
• Vandoren traditional 2.5 reeds

Areas of Expertise

Following his graduation, Palermo pursued a dual path in education and performance. In 1997, he released his debut album, Miles Above All, which received airplay on college radio stations and Cleveland jazz networks. His performing career included appearances with musicians such as Joe Lovano, Jack DeJohnette, David Sanborn, Christopher Holliday, Phil Woods, Allen Vizzutti, Denis DiBlasio, Ray Brown, Eric Marienthal, Jeff Kashiwa, Dominic Spera, John Fedchock, and Dave Samuels. He has also traveled extensively across the United States doing guest artist appearances, jazz and concert band workshops, and performances, and has worked internationally in Belgium, the Netherlands, Canada, and France as part of the International Bands of America.

In 2003, Palermo was invited to participate in the “Essentially Ellington” Jazz Academy in New York City, sponsored by Jazz at Lincoln Center under the direction of Wynton Marsalis. There, he studied with Terrell Stafford of Temple University and Loren Schoenberg of the Juilliard School of Music.

His second album, Don’t Look Back (2006), received positive reviews from JazzReview.com. The track “Dreaming” reached the top of jazz charts in Europe and Asia, remaining for over twelve weeks and boosting album sales. In addition to performing, Palermo published his first educational book, Warm-Ups, Scales, Patterns, and Licks, with Really Good Music Publications. He became a member of the International Association for Jazz Education and also worked as a volunteer with the Jazz Education Department at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C). He has been endorsed by Conn-Selmer Instruments, Oleg Ligatures, and Beechler Mouthpieces.

At one point, Palermo was offered the opportunity to interview at the Juilliard School of Music for the position of Artistic Director of Jazz Studies, but he chose to remain in public education due to his passion for teaching younger students.

In 2010, Palermo released Passions and Dreams. The track “Lovin’ You” gained popularity in smooth jazz radio formats in both the United States and Asia. His fourth album, After Hours, was released in 2012 and included the single “Calypso Fiesta,” which was featured on Pandora, satellite radio, and jazz outlets worldwide.

In 2016, Palermo released Visions, further establishing his reputation as a recording artist. Alongside his recordings, he has balanced his career as Band Director for the Mayfield City School District and as Band Director for John Carroll University. He has also worked as a clinician for Conn-Selmer and participated in numerous school and collegiate programs dedicated to jazz education.

Palermo has contributed articles to professional music education journals, including the National Association for Music Education, where his article on incorporating students with special needs into band programs received national recognition. The article gained national accreditation and was highlighted by music education associations.

In 2023, he published a book aimed at jazz ensemble directors that sold over 15000 copies in its first month of release. Palermo continues to present workshops and master classes across the United States and internationally, while remaining committed to education in Ohio.

Research Interests

• https://medium.com/bradley.adam/michael-c-palermo-a-life-in-music-education-and-performance-e3dbf2b78b86?source=user_profile_page---------0-------------96e5cdd74d07----------------------
• https://eurls.live/articles/shaping-sound-and-minds--the-story-of-michael-c-palermo
• https://steemit.com/education/ridley-321/a-career-in-harmony-michael-c-palermo-s-work-as-teacher-and-artist
• https://pittsburghtribune.org/blog/educator--saxophonist--author--the-multifaceted-journey-of-michael-c-palermo-and-artist
• https://aphelonline.com/michael-c-palermo-and-the-art-of-balancing-performance-with-education-and-artist/
• https://r345.substack.com/p/michael-c-palermo-nurturing-the-next

Education

Early life and education

Palermo was born in Jamestown, New York, and graduated from Jamestown High School in 1989. He went on to study at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a degree in Music Education and Performance in 1993. He later completed a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Cleveland State University in 1998. In 2007, he was inducted into the Edinboro University Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.

While in college he studied with Professor David Sublette. With opportunities looming for him to pursue multiple graduate degrees, he decided that teaching was his best option. Now in his 33rd year as an educator, he has no regrets making that decision at a younger age. Also, as he was making his way forward, Palermo performed and worked with Natalie Merchant and the 10,000 maniacs. At Edinboro University, Palermo wrote musical scores for the theatre department and collaborated on several singles for musicians in the Erie and Pittsburgh area

Courses Taught

Publications

Discography

Albums

• Miles Above All (1997)
• Don’t Look Back (2006)
• Passions and Dreams (2010)
• After Hours (2012)
• Visions (2016)

Selected songs

• “Dreaming”
• “Through a Child’s Eyes”
• “My Peanut”
• “So Cool”
• “Evening Seduction”
• “Said & Done”
• “Cornflake Girl” (featuring Tammy Palermo)
• “After Hours”
• “Snowfall”
• “Treehouse”
• “After Hours”
• “Don’t Let Go”
• “Hush"
• “Calypso Fiesta”
• “Groovin’ in the Rain”
• “Summer Solstice”