Biography

Eddie del Barrio is a renowned Argentinian composer, arranger, songwriter, and pianist, celebrated for his contributions to jazz, Latin jazz, and classical music.

Del Barrio was born into a musical family and began his journey with music at an early age. In 1942, his family moved to Mendoza, Argentina, where his father established a music school. It was here that del Barrio received his classical training as a pianist. By the age of seventeen, he was leading a jazz band, performing in local clubs and refining his craft in the vibrant Argentine music scene.

In 1965, del Barrio relocated to the United States, where he would make a significant impact on the music industry. He co-founded the influential jazz fusion band Caldera, which fused jazz, funk, and rock with Latin music. The band signed with Capitol Records in 1976 and released several albums, including Sky Islands in 1977. This album was co-produced by Larry Dunn of Earth, Wind & Fire, who played a pivotal role in introducing del Barrio to Maurice White, the legendary founder of Earth, Wind & Fire. This connection led to del Barrio's significant contributions to several Earth, Wind & Fire classics.

Del Barrio's songwriting and arranging talents are showcased in timeless hits for Earth, Wind & Fire, including the Grammy-nominated "Fantasy" and the Grammy-winning instrumental "Runnin'." His other notable compositions include "Sailaway," "Sparkle," "Straight from the Heart," and "Miracles," all of which highlight his ability to seamlessly blend diverse musical genres.

Beyond his work with Earth, Wind & Fire, del Barrio made lasting contributions to the jazz and Latin music scenes. He composed the symphonic jazz mass "Misa Justa" for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and produced albums for Dianne Reeves, with whom he had a long-standing collaboration.

His orchestration and arranging talents are also evident on several albums, including Herb Alpert's Grammy-winning Steppin' Out and Stan Getz's Grammy-nominated Apasionado. With a career spanning over six decades, Eddie del Barrio's influence and innovative approach to music have left an indelible mark on the industry.
- IMDb mini biography by: Roxanne Seeman & Angel Vidal