Eddie Palmieri, Legendary Pianist, Composer & Bandleader, Dies at 88

Eddie Palmieri, the Grammy Award-winning pianist, bandleader, musician, and composer of Puerto Rican ancestry who revolutionized Latin jazz and salsa over a more than seven decades career, has died at 88. He passed away Wednesday (August 6) in his New Jersey home, according to a statement posted on his official Instagram account.

One of the most influential figures in Latin music history, Palmieri was born Dec. 15, 1936 in Spanish Harlem to Puerto Rican parents and was greatly influenced by his older brother, the pioneering Latin pianist Charlie Palmieri. “Together, the Palmieri brothers helped define the sound of Latin music in New York City and beyond, each leaving a distinct legacy,” reads the post.

Known for pioneering progressive salsa and Latin jazz, blending American jazz with Afro-Caribbean rhythms, Palmieri founded in 1961 La Perfecta, a band that redefined salsa with its use of trombones in place of trumpets, introducing a new sound that became Palmieri’s musical signature. His 1965 classic “Azúcar Pa’ Ti” has been recognized for its cultural significance – in 2009, it was inducted into the Library of Congress of the United States. He also blended Latin music with funk, soul, and socially conscious messaging in his innovative 1971 album Harlem River Drive.

On the Billboard charts, Palmieri had seven entries on the Jazz Albums ranking – from Palmas (1994) to Listen Here! (2005) -– and eight entries on Top Tropical Albums, including three top 10s: Obra Maestra: Mastepiece (2000) with Tito Puente, Ritmo Caliente (2003), both of which reached No. 5, and Eddie Palmieri Is Doin’ It In The Park: The EP (Soundtrack), which peaked at No. 7. He also had presence on Traditional Jazz Albums (nine entries, two of them in the top 10), Top Latin Albums (one entry at No. 7) and Tropical Airplay (one entry).

Winner of the NEA Jazz Masters Award as well as multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards, Palmieri received in 2013 a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy.

“It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the passing of maestro Eddie Palmieri, a pioneer of salsa, a visionary of Latin jazz, and an eternal revolutionary of rhythm,” the Latin Recording Academy said on a statement. “His talent broke barriers, merging tradition with innovation and leaving an indelible mark on generations of musicians and music lovers. […] He always had a deep commitment to culture, and his invaluable contributions cemented him as one of the great pillars of the Latin sound worldwide.”

Eddie Palmieri’s wife for almost six decades, Iraida Palmieri, whom he lovingly called “Mi Luz Mayor,” passed away in 2014. He is survived by their five children – daughters Gabriela, Renee, Eydie and Ileana, and son Edward Palmieri II – and four grandchildren.