Latin music legend Eddie Palmieri, whose innovative approach helped usher in a new era for jazz, salsa and Afro-Caribbean music, has died. The pianist and bandleader passed away on Wednesday at age 88. Latin jazz label Fania Records, which was Palmieri’s musical home for several of his classic recordings, released a statement announcing his death.
“Today, Fania Records mourns the loss of the legendary Eddie Palmieri, one of the most innovative and unique artists in music history.”
The award-winning composer and producer began his career in 1950s New York City as a teen. He would play with bandleaders Johnny Seguí and Tito Rodríguez, before going on to form bands like La Perfecta and Harlem River Drive and release a string of projects throughout the 1960s and 1970s; and they broke ground by fusing jazz with Afro-Caribbean beats. He was also performing in concerts and recorded with acts like the Tico All Stars and the Fania All Stars. Palmieri’s style was a percussive approach to piano playing that was intensely emotional and evocative but still virtuosic.
Born in New York City’s Spanish Harlem, Palmieri started playing piano at an early age, alongside famous brother Charlie Palmieri, but he briefly switched to playing timbales in his uncle’s orchestra. He would eventually settle into his role as a pianist, but his aggressive style belied his background as a drummer. Culturally, Palmieri’s Nuyorican identity was important to him and reflected throughout his work. 1971’s Harlem River Drive spoke directly to the inequalities facing Puerto Ricans in New York; and his song “Puerto Rico” remains a cultural anthem.
He took home his first Grammy in 1975 for the album The Sun of Latin Music, and would go on to win ten Grammys over the course of his career. He released music well into his 80s, even performing through the coronavirus pandemic via livestreams.
As he became an elder statesman, he was honored by his peers for his contributions. His song “Azúcar Pa’ Ti” was added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2009. And in 2013, the National Endowment for the Humanities awarded him a Jazz Master Fellowship, one of jazz’s highest honors.
Questlove recognized the legend upon the news of his passing. “Love to the master,” he captioned an IG post that quoted Wax Poetics’ tribute to Palmieri.
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