Legendary Latin Jazz Pioneer Eddie Palmieri Dies at 88

New York, Aug 7 (AP) - Eddie Palmieri, a pioneering force in rumba and Latin jazz, has passed away at the age of 88.

Fania Records made the announcement on Wednesday evening, confirming the musician’s passing. Palmieri’s daughter, Gabriela, shared with The New York Times that he died earlier that day at his New Jersey home after enduring an “extended illness.”

Palmieri, a celebrated pianist, composer, and bandleader, holds the distinction of being the first Latino artist to win a Grammy Award. Over his illustrious career, he earned a total of eight Grammys and produced nearly 40 albums.

Born in Spanish Harlem on December 15, 1936, Palmieri was surrounded by music from an early age. Although he began piano lessons early on, he was drawn to the timbales at 13, playing in his uncle’s orchestra. Ultimately, he returned to the piano, stating, “I'm a frustrated percussionist, so I take it out on the piano.”

Palmieri's first Grammy win came in 1975 for “The Sun of Latin Music.” He continued creating music well into his 80s, even performing live during the coronavirus pandemic through virtual sessions.

In a 2011 interview with The Associated Press, when asked about future goals, he humorously remarked, “Learning to play the piano well. ... Being a piano player is one thing. Being a pianist is another.”

His early career saw him in collaborations with the Eddie Forrester Orchestra, Johnny Seguí’s band, and Tito Rodríguez, before founding his own band, La Perfecta, in 1961 alongside trombonist Barry Rogers and singer Ismael Quintana.

La Perfecta made waves by featuring a trombone section instead of the traditional trumpets, a unique approach in Latin music. The band swiftly became as renowned as ensembles like Machito and Tito Rodríguez’s.

Palmieri released numerous influential albums, including 1971’s “Vámonos pa’l monte,” featuring guest organist Charlie Palmieri, his brother who passed in 1988. That same year, he released “Harlem River Drive,” blending Black and Latin music styles to create a unique mix of salsa, funk, soul, and jazz.

In 1974, he teamed up with a young Lalo Rodríguez for “The Sun of Latin Music,” the first Latin album to secure a Grammy. The following year, he delivered “Eddie Palmieri & Friends in Concert, Live at the University of Puerto Rico,” a favorite among salsa enthusiasts.

Palmieri’s talent brought him two more Grammy Awards in the 1980s for “Palo pa’ rumba” (1984) and “Solito” (1985). He also introduced vocalist La India to the salsa scene with the production “Llegó La India vía Eddie Palmieri.”

In 2000, Palmieri collaborated with Tito Puente on “Masterpiece,” a critically acclaimed album that earned two Grammys and was lauded by the National Foundation for Popular Culture of Puerto Rico.

His notable career included performances and recordings with the Fania All-Stars and Tico All-Stars, where he excelled as a composer, arranger, producer, and orchestra director.

In 1988, two of his concerts were recorded by the Smithsonian Institute for the National Museum of American History’s catalog in Washington.

In recognition of his community-building efforts through music, Yale University honored him with the Chubb Fellowship Award in 2002. In 2005, Palmieri debuted as the host of “Caliente” on National Public Radio, broadcasting across over 160 radio stations nationwide. (AP) RB RB

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