Eddie Palmieri, the Grammy Award-winning pianist, bandleader, musician, and composer of Puerto Rican ancestry who revolutionized Latin jazz and salsa over a greater than seven many years profession, has died at 88. He handed away Wednesday (August 6) in his New Jersey residence, in keeping with a statement posted on his official Instagram account.
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One of the crucial influential figures in Latin music historical past, Palmieri was born in Spanish Harlem to Puerto Rican mother and father and was drastically influenced by his older brother, the pioneering Latin pianist Charlie Palmieri. “Collectively, the Palmieri brothers helped outline the sound of Latin music in New York Metropolis and past, every leaving a definite legacy,” reads the submit.
Recognized for pioneering progressive salsa and Latin jazz, mixing American jazz with Afro-Caribbean rhythms, Palmieri based in 1961 La Perfecta, a band that redefined salsa with its use of trombones rather than trumpets, introducing a brand new sound that grew to become Palmieri’s musical signature. His 1965 basic “Azúcar Pa’ Ti” has been acknowledged for its cultural significance – in 2009, it was inducted into the Library of Congress of the USA. He additionally blended Latin music with funk, soul, and socially acutely aware messaging in his progressive 1971 album Harlem River Drive.
On the Billboard charts, Palmieri had seven entries on the Jazz Albums rating – from Palmas (1994) to Hear Right here! (2005) -– and eight entries on High Tropical Albums, together with three high 10s: Obra Maestra: Mastepiece (2000) with Tito Puente, Ritmo Caliente (2003), each of which reached No. 5, and Eddie Palmieri Is Doin’ It In The Park: The EP (Soundtrack), which peaked at No. 7. He additionally had presence on Conventional Jazz Albums (9 entries, two of them within the high 10), High Latin Albums (one entry at No. 7) and Tropical Airplay (one entry).
Winner of the NEA Jazz Masters Award in addition to a number of Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards, Palmieri acquired in 2013 a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy.
“It’s with deep sorrow that we mourn the passing of maestro Eddie Palmieri, a pioneer of salsa, a visionary of Latin jazz, and an everlasting revolutionary of rhythm,” the Latin Recording Academy mentioned on a statement. “His expertise broke obstacles, merging custom with innovation and leaving an indelible mark on generations of musicians and music lovers. […] He at all times had a deep dedication to tradition, and his invaluable contributions cemented him as one of many nice pillars of the Latin sound worldwide.”
Eddie Palmieri’s spouse for nearly six many years, Iraida Palmieri, whom he lovingly referred to as “Mi Luz Mayor,” handed away in 2014. He’s survived by their 5 youngsters – daughters Gabriela, Renee, Eydie and Ileana, and son Edward Palmieri II – and 4 grandchildren.