Eddie Palmieri, born Eduardo Palmieri on December 15, 1936, in New York City, was an influential American pianist, composer, and bandleader of Puerto Rican descent. He was a pioneering figure in Latin jazz and salsa music, known for his innovative blending of salsa, jazz, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms. Palmieri grew up in a musically rich environment in the South Bronx, where his parents, Isabel Maldonado and Carlos Palmieri, had settled after moving from Puerto Rico. His older brother, Charlie Palmieri, was a respected jazz musician who inspired Eddie's musical journey.

From a young age, Palmieri was immersed in music, taking piano lessons at eight and performing at Carnegie Hall by eleven. He was influenced by jazz legends like Thelonious Monk and McCoy Tyner, which shaped his unique style. In 1961, he formed the band La Perfecta, known for its distinctive "trombanga" sound, which replaced traditional violins with trombones, adding a new dimension to the salsa genre.

Throughout his career, Palmieri was celebrated for his innovative sound and social consciousness, often addressing themes of social justice in his work. He recorded influential albums such as "Harlem River Drive" and "The Sun of Latin Music," the latter earning the first Grammy Award for a Latin album in 1975. Over his lifetime, Palmieri won ten Grammy Awards, including collaborations with notable artists like Tito Puente and Brian Lynch.

Palmieri continued to perform and record prolifically until his death on August 6, 2025, in Hackensack, New Jersey, at the age of 88. His contributions to music were recognized with numerous accolades, including a lifetime achievement award from the Latin Recording Academy and being named an NEA Jazz Master. Eddie Palmieri is remembered as one of the greatest Latin jazz musicians of all time, leaving a lasting legacy on the world of music.