Spike Lee\u2019s<\/a> newest collaboration with Denzel Washington, Highest 2 Lowest<\/a>, weaves music straight into the plot\u2014and the most unforgettable beat comes from the late Eddie Palmieri.<\/p>\n The Latin jazz and salsa icon, who died on August 6 at the age of 88 after an extended illness<\/a>, appears in the film\u2019s Puerto Rican Day Parade sequence in the Bronx, leading his salsa orchestra during a truly live performance alongside a ransom drop.<\/p>\n Lee told Entertainment Weekly<\/a> he never viewed it as a simple cameo. \u201cI would not say that\u2019s a cameo, that\u2019s a starring role,\u201d Lee said, calling the day \u201cjoyous.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that the music was captured live: \u201cIt was filmed live. We did five or six takes. We had to get different angles.\u201d Of Palmieri\u2019s presence, Lee said, \u201cHe was in his 80s, but he had more energy than me that day. The crowd loved him. It was a blessing.\u201d<\/p>\n COMPLEX SHOP:<\/b> Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what’s next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.<\/a><\/p>\n Palmieri\u2019s scene is introduced by Rosie Perez and Anthony Ramos, connecting the film to New York\u2019s Puerto Rican heritage. It marks the musician\u2019s last on-screen appearance and extends his connection to Lee\u2019s work.<\/p>\n Palmieri previously soundtracked an episode of Lee\u2019s Netflix series She\u2019s Gotta Have It in 2019, and he cut two new tracks\u2014\u201cDa Lowdown\u201d and \u201cPuerto Rico\u201d\u2014for Highest 2 Lowest\u2019s soundtrack, which features A$AP Rocky and Jensen McRae.<\/p>\n Highest 2 Lowest is a reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa\u2019s High and Low (itself adapted from Evan Hunter\u2019s novel King\u2019s Ransom<\/a>, which was written under his nom de plume, Ed McBain). Washington stars as David King, a music executive scrambling to keep his label alive while navigating a kidnapping scheme involving his son. The film opened in select theaters on August 15 and premieres on September 5 on Apple TV+.<\/p>\n Beyond the film set, Palmieri\u2019s accomplishments underscore why his appearance matters. The NEA named him a Jazz Master in 2013; the Latin Recording Academy honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award; and in 1975, he became the first Latino artist to win a Grammy, ultimately collecting eight across a catalog that helped define salsa, Latin jazz, and Afro-Caribbean music.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Pete La Roca – Basra LP (Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series)<\/p>\n Blue Note Records<\/span> Pete La Roca – Basra LP (Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series)<\/span> $27.98<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n ,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Let’s Play Two: Music From The Danny Clinch Film [2 LP]<\/p>\n uDiscover Music<\/span> Let’s Play Two: Music From The Danny Clinch Film [2 LP]<\/span> $39.98<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n ,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Gil Evans Orchestra – Great Jazz Standards LP (Tone Poet Vinyl Series)<\/p>\n Blue Note Records<\/span> Gil Evans Orchestra – Great Jazz Standards LP (Tone Poet Vinyl Series)<\/span> $38.98<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n ,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Duke Ellington – Money Jungle LP (Tone Poet Vinyl Series)<\/p>\n Blue Note Records<\/span> Duke Ellington – Money Jungle LP (Tone Poet Vinyl Series)<\/span> $38.98<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Colin Kaepernick Documentary, Directed by Spike Lee, Canceled by ESPN<\/span><\/p>\n ,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Americana’ Bombs as Spike Lee’s ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Soars in Limited Release<\/span><\/p>\n ,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Spike Lee and Wife Tonya Lewis Lee Named Cultural Ambassadors for Benin<\/span><\/p>\n Sarah Jessica Parker Reveals How She Keeps Carrie Bradshaw’s Memory Alive<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n ‘RHOA’ Legend NeNe Leakes Claims Producers ‘Never Offered’ Her A Chance to Return to the Show<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\nRelated Products<\/h3>\n
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