Eddie Gómez

Lore & Background

Eddie Gómez moved with his family from Puerto Rico to New York at a young age, where he was raised. He began playing double bass in the New York City school system at age eleven and attended the New York City High School of Music & Art at thirteen. From 1959 to 1961, he played in the Newport Festival Youth Band led by Marshall Brown, and he left Juilliard in 1966 to join the Bill Evans Trio.

Gómez spent eleven years with the Bill Evans Trio, performing in the United States, Europe, and Asia and appearing on dozens of recordings. His career has largely been as an accompanist, a role suited to his quick reflexes and flexibility. He has also worked as a studio musician and recorded as a leader for Columbia Records, Projazz, and Stretch, with many recent co-led recordings with pianist Mark Kramer.

In May 2013, Gómez was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music in Valencia, Spain, the first honorary doctorate granted at that campus.

Reader's Guide

Eddie Gómez's significance lies in his long association with the Bill Evans Trio, a landmark group in jazz history, where his bass work provided a foundational rhythmic and harmonic support. His career as an accompanist and studio musician demonstrates his adaptability and technical skill, allowing him to collaborate with a wide range of notable jazz figures including Gerry Mulligan, Marian McPartland, Paul Bley, Tania Maria, Steps Ahead, and Chick Corea. His recordings as a leader, particularly those co-led with Mark Kramer, show his continued creative output. The honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music in 2013 recognizes his contributions to music education and performance. Gómez's legacy is that of a versatile and reliable sideman who helped shape the sound of modern jazz bass.

Did You Know?

• Gómez started playing double bass at age eleven in the New York City school system.
• He played in the Newport Festival Youth Band from 1959 to 1961.
• Many of his recent recordings as a leader are co-led by pianist Mark Kramer.