The award-winning pianist, bandleader and composer was influential in the New York salsa scene and won the first Grammy in a Latin category

Eddie Palmieri, the renowned pianist and Latin music pioneer who founded groups like La Perfecta and Harlem River Drive, has died at 88.

Grammy-winning Latin music trailblazer Eddie Palmieri died on Wednesday, Aug. 6 after "an extended illness," his daughter Gabriela Palmieri confirmed to 'The New York Times' the same day. He was 88.