Jon Batiste paid tribute to Eddie Palmieri during a Central Park SummerStage concert in New York City, honoring Palmieri’s legacy with a live, onstage celebration that brought Palmieri’s musical world into the spotlight. The tribute was reported by Page Six in an article published August 20, 2025.

According to the report, Batiste invited members of Palmieri’s band to join him during the finale at Rumsey Playfield. Musicians named in the article included Jeremy Bosch, Louis Fouché, and Zaccai Curtis, who performed alongside Batiste as part of a multi-song tribute recognizing Palmieri’s influence and cultural importance.

During the tribute, Batiste highlighted Palmieri’s ability to unify musical traditions, emphasizing how Palmieri blended styles and created a model for cultural connection through music. The article describes Batiste’s remarks as a call for unity, using Palmieri’s legacy as an example of how music can bring people together.

The Page Six report also referenced Palmieri’s reputation as a boundary-pushing innovator, noting his nickname “the Madman of Salsa” and citing commentary describing his ability to incorporate wide-ranging influences without losing the foundation of Afro-Cuban flavor.

Following the concert, the article reported that the tribute continued with an extended jam session at the Naumburg Bandshell, involving Batiste’s band, members of Palmieri’s band, and additional performers from the show. The moment was presented as both a celebration of Palmieri’s legacy and a communal, live expression of the musical spirit he represented.

Source: Mara Siegler, “Jon Batiste pays tribute to late music icon Eddie Palmieri during Central Park concert,” Page Six, August 20, 2025.
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