‘Madman of Salsa’ Eddie Palmieri Dies at 88

The ‘pianist, composer, bandleader, and one of the most influential figures in Latin music history, passed away at his New Jersey residence,’ his family said.

Latin jazz artist Eddie Palmieri attends the seventh annual Latin Grammy Awards at Madison Square Garden in New York on Nov. 2, 2006. Evan Agostini/Getty Images

Musician and composer Eddie Palmieri, an icon of salsa and Latin music known in the United States as the “Madman of Salsa,” died at the age of 88 on Aug. 6, his family said in a statement.

“Eddie Palmieri, legendary pianist, composer, bandleader, and one of the most influential figures in Latin music history, passed away at his New Jersey residence,” his family wrote in an Instagram post on Aug. 6. “Eddie will live on eternally in our hearts for all time.