Edgar Gómez was born on October 4, 1944. He is a Puerto Rican jazz musician who plays the double bass. He worked with the Bill Evans Trio from 1966 to 1977.

Biography

Gómez moved with his family from Puerto Rico to New York when he was young. He grew up in New York and began playing the double bass in the New York City school system at age eleven. At thirteen, he attended the New York City High School of Music & Art. He played in the Newport Festival Youth Band, which was led by Marshall Brown, from 1959 to 1961. He graduated from Juilliard in 1963.

Gómez has performed with musicians such as Gerry Mulligan, Marian McPartland, Paul Bley, Tania Maria, Steps Ahead, and Chick Corea. He spent eleven years playing with the Bill Evans Trio. This group performed in the United States, Europe, and Asia and made many recordings.

Most of Gómez’s career has involved working as an accompanist, a role that requires quick thinking and adaptability. He has also worked as a studio musician for many well-known jazz musicians. He has recorded music as a leader for Columbia Records, Projazz, and Stretch. Many of his recent recordings as a leader are co-led by jazz pianist Mark Kramer.

In May 2013, Gómez received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music in Valencia, Spain. This was the first honorary doctorate given at Berklee’s new international campus in Spain.

Discography

Collaborated with John Abercrombie

Collaborated with Warren Bernhardt

Collaborated with Bill Bruford and Ralph Towner

Collaborated with Frank Caruso and Bob Rummage

Collaborated with Jennifer Holliday

Collaborated with Enric Madriguera

Collaborated with Melissa Manchester

Collaborated with Manhattan Jazz Quintet

Collaborated with The New York Art Quartet

Collaborated with Michel Petrucciani

Collaborated with Richard Stoltzman

Collaborated with Eugenio Toussaint /think