Eddie Palmieri

Founded La Perfecta (1961) with the two-trombone-plus-flute 'trombanga' sound; jazz-informed (McCoy Tyner, Coltrane); won the first Best Latin Recording...

Eddie Palmieri was the pianist and bandleader who transformed New York's Latin music. Shaped by Puerto Rican New York, Cuban music, and American jazz, he founded Conjunto La Perfecta in 1961 and re-engineered the charanga around two trombones up front, redefining what a Latin orchestra could sound like. A restless modernist steeped in Cuban structure and jazz harmony, he broadened the music rather than copying Cuban models. 'The Sun of Latin Music' won the first-ever Grammy for Best Latin Recording; he went on to collect ten Grammys and the NEA Jazz Master award (2013).

Role

bandleader, composer, pianist

Era

Fania-Era Salsa

Genre

Salsa (Fania era)

Origin

New York City (Manhattan), United States