Tito Puente

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(1923 – 2000)

Tito Puente (1923-2000) was a bandleader, percussionist, composer, and arranger from , New York City/placeformed].

Born Ernesto Antonio Puente, Jr., on April 20, 1923, in el barrio Spanish harlem, New York, Puente was a musical pioneer for mixing musical styles with Latin sounds and for his experiments in fusing music with . The son of Puerto Rican immigrants, Puente grew up in New York City’s Spanish Harlem and took piano lessons as a child and then studied . He became a professional musician at age 13. Tito Puente later learned to play a number of instruments, including the , , , and (paired high-pitched drums). After an apprenticeship in the historic Machito Orchestra, he was drafted and served in the navy during World War II.

Once he returned to New York in 1945, Puente used money from the G.I. Bill to study at the famed Juilliard School of Music. He formed a band that would later be known as the Tito Puente Orchestra in 1948. By the 1950s, crowds came to see his band play and Puente became a Latin music sensation. In 1958, his best-selling album, Dance Mania, was released. More hit records followed as the world enjoyed the way Puente put a big band spin on traditional Latin dances.

He added other Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms to his repertoire, including , , , and , and among his notable songs are Babarabatiri, Ran Kan Kan, and Oye Como Va. Puente also performed with leading jazz performers, including George Shearing and Woody Herman, as well as with many stars of Latin music and, in later years, with symphony orchestras.
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  • Acapulco
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  • Puente In Percussion
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  • Hoy Y Ayer
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  • The Essential Tito Puente
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  • nicoinfurs

    The best Tito Puente song is way too low in my opinion. 'Cuando Te Vea' is so good.

    last month

  • Davadarho

    EL REY del timbal todavia en nuestras cabezas ! A gozar este rico hombre :)

    February 2012

  • Goodearl

    He was awesome in concert.

    November 2011

  • HabitualBigotry

    The only reason I know this guy is because of The Simpsons x)

    October 2011

  • Freejoin

    que grande bo... aguante por siempre Tito!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    July 2011

  • javiikiller

    It's funny how Take Five version's Tito Puente is not in 5/4 but in 4/4. However, it's so good as the Paul Desmond original.

    July 2011

  • QNubia

    Love his music!!!! His sound is so unique and missed by all who knew his music. Here is one of my favorite albums where he performed with Celia Cruz. http://qnubia.com/store/music/tito-puente-y-celia-cruz-cuba-vol-1-2088700544648470/

    July 2011

  • Danie_Aristides

    señor buuuuurs con el corazon de un peeeerrrooo, señor buuuuurs el diablo con dinero !!

    June 2011
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