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Eddie Palmieri<\/a>, a trailblazing innovator of Latin music, has died at the age of 88.<\/p>\n The legendary musician died Wednesday at his home in Hackensack, according to a statement<\/a> posted on his Instagram account.<\/p>\n \u201cEddie Palmieri<\/a> revolutionized the sound of Latin jazz and salsa across a career that spanned more than seven decades,\u201d the post read. \u201cKnown for his thunderous, percussive piano style and bold, genre-defying compositions, he was a fearless innovator who honored his Afro-Caribbean roots while pushing musical boundaries.\u201d<\/p>\n The Harlem native is credited for his influence on Latin salsa and jazz which gained immense popularity throughout the \u201860s and \u201870s.<\/p>\n During that time, Palmieri released a slew of albums with his orchestra, La Perfecta, as they meshed Afro-Caribbean beats and jazz rhythms.<\/p>\n Some of his most notable tunes includes \u201cCaf\u00e9,\u201d \u201cBilongo,\u201d and \u201cLa Malanga,\u201d which feature Palmieri\u2019s unique, highly percussive piano-playing. His style of play often included using body parts like his forearms and elbows to hit keys on the piano.<\/p>\n Palmieri won eight Grammy Awards<\/a> over the course of his 60-plus year career. In 2009, Palmieri\u2019s hit song \u201cAz\u00facar Pa\u2019 Ti\u201d was added to the Library of Congress\u2019 National Recording Registry<\/a>. He was awarded a Jazz Master Fellowship<\/a>, one of the highest honors in the genre, by the National Endowment for the Humanities in 2013.<\/p>\n Iconic Latin jazz label Fania Records, on which Palmieri released several of his classics, posted a tribute to the music legend Wednesday.<\/p>\n \u201cToday, Fania Records mourns the loss of the legendary Eddie Palmieri, one of the most innovative and unique artists in music history,\u201d the post read. \u201cHe will be greatly missed.\u201d<\/p>\n Palmieri is survived by five children and four grandchildren.<\/p>\n Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to <\/i>NJ.com<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n Christopher Burch can be reached at <\/i>cburch@njadvancemedia.com<\/i><\/a>. Follow him on Twitter: <\/i>@SwishBurch<\/i><\/a>. Find <\/i>NJ.comon Facebook<\/i><\/a>. Have a tip? Tell us. <\/i>nj.com\/tips<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\nMore entertainment news:<\/b><\/h2>\n