Known as the King of Latin Music, Tito Puente was a pioneer in fusing Cuban music styles with jazz. His hits changed the scope of American mainstream music in the 1950's, and today his contributions still have an effect on modern Latin jazz.
Early Years
Raised in Spanish Harlem, a predominately Latin neighborhood in New York City, Tito Puente was the son of Puerto Rican immigrants Ernest and Ercilia Puente. At age nineteen he was drafted into the U.S. Navy, where he served in several battles in World War II over the course of three years.
Upon being discharged with a Presidential Commendation, Puente began to study composition and piano at Julliard and the New York School of Music. During this time, he performed with Machito, a bandleader noted for his contribution in fusing Cuban rhythms with jazz improvisation in the 1940's.
Musical Styles/contributions
Puente's orchestra Piccadilly Boys recorded numerous records in the late 1940's and 1950's, pushing Cuban styles like son, chachacha, and most notably mambo into the popular music scene. In addition to composing and leading the band, Puente was a master timbale player, legendary for his fiery solos and animated facial expressions.
In fact, Puente was so prolific in performing and composing Cuban influenced music that some have misidentified him as a Cuban himself, naming him "Mambo King" and "El Rey". In 1952, Puente was the only non-Cuban attendee at the "50 Years of Cuban Music" celebration held in Cuba.
After the mambo craze died down, Puente moved on to other genres, experimenting with pop music and more Brazilian styles of Latin music, as well as continuing to mix Cuban rhythms with jazz sounds.
Albums and Awards
A prolific composer, Puente recorded over 100 albums, and many compilations exist as well. His early hit "Dance Mania", released in 1958, remains one of his most well-known albums. His Grammy Award winning albums include "A Tribute to Benny Moré", "On Broadway", "Mambo Diablo", and "Goza Mi Timbal". His 100th album, "The Mambo King" was recorded in 1991.
Puente won five Grammy Awards in his lifetime, and was given a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000. He received the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal in 1990. His album Mambo Birdland led to the Best Traditional Tropical Album award at the first-ever Latin Grammy Awards.
Later Years
Always an energetic and intense performer, Puente continued recording and playing shows for the remainder of his life. He appears with Eliane Elias, Paquito D'Rivera, Michel Camilo, and other Latin jazz greats in the music documentary "Calle 54", directed by Fernando Trueba.
Puente experienced heart problems in his seventies, and passed away during heart surgery on May 31st, 2000, not long after recording his 120th album, "Por Fin/At Last".
Tito Puente's Influence Today
Even after his death, Tito Puente continues to influence the Latin jazz world. He has been given several posthumous music accolades, and his compositions continue to be recorded and covered by new artists. Puente did more than contribute to music; he helped sculpt and define Latin jazz into the genre it is today.
Author Sunil S.
Early Years
Raised in Spanish Harlem, a predominately Latin neighborhood in New York City, Tito Puente was the son of Puerto Rican immigrants Ernest and Ercilia Puente. At age nineteen he was drafted into the U.S. Navy, where he served in several battles in World War II over the course of three years.
Upon being discharged with a Presidential Commendation, Puente began to study composition and piano at Julliard and the New York School of Music. During this time, he performed with Machito, a bandleader noted for his contribution in fusing Cuban rhythms with jazz improvisation in the 1940's.
Musical Styles/contributions
Puente's orchestra Piccadilly Boys recorded numerous records in the late 1940's and 1950's, pushing Cuban styles like son, chachacha, and most notably mambo into the popular music scene. In addition to composing and leading the band, Puente was a master timbale player, legendary for his fiery solos and animated facial expressions.
In fact, Puente was so prolific in performing and composing Cuban influenced music that some have misidentified him as a Cuban himself, naming him "Mambo King" and "El Rey". In 1952, Puente was the only non-Cuban attendee at the "50 Years of Cuban Music" celebration held in Cuba.
After the mambo craze died down, Puente moved on to other genres, experimenting with pop music and more Brazilian styles of Latin music, as well as continuing to mix Cuban rhythms with jazz sounds.
Albums and Awards
A prolific composer, Puente recorded over 100 albums, and many compilations exist as well. His early hit "Dance Mania", released in 1958, remains one of his most well-known albums. His Grammy Award winning albums include "A Tribute to Benny Moré", "On Broadway", "Mambo Diablo", and "Goza Mi Timbal". His 100th album, "The Mambo King" was recorded in 1991.
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Puente won five Grammy Awards in his lifetime, and was given a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000. He received the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal in 1990. His album Mambo Birdland led to the Best Traditional Tropical Album award at the first-ever Latin Grammy Awards.
Later Years
Always an energetic and intense performer, Puente continued recording and playing shows for the remainder of his life. He appears with Eliane Elias, Paquito D'Rivera, Michel Camilo, and other Latin jazz greats in the music documentary "Calle 54", directed by Fernando Trueba.
Puente experienced heart problems in his seventies, and passed away during heart surgery on May 31st, 2000, not long after recording his 120th album, "Por Fin/At Last".
Tito Puente's Influence Today
Even after his death, Tito Puente continues to influence the Latin jazz world. He has been given several posthumous music accolades, and his compositions continue to be recorded and covered by new artists. Puente did more than contribute to music; he helped sculpt and define Latin jazz into the genre it is today.
Author Sunil S.
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