Tito Puente
Tito Puente, born Ernesto Antonio Puente, Jr. on April 20, 1923, in New York City, was a renowned American bandleader, composer, and musician of Puerto Rican descent. He became one of the leading figures in Latin jazz, earning the nickname "King of Mambo" due to his vibrant showmanship and popular mambo dance hits during the 1950s. Raised in Spanish Harlem, Puente began his musical career at the age of 13 and mastered several instruments, including the piano, saxophone, vibraphone, and timbales.
After serving in the navy during World War II, Puente studied at the Juilliard School. In 1947, he formed his own band, which played a significant role in the golden age of mambo alongside other Latin musicians like Tito Rodríguez and Pérez Prado. Puente's repertoire expanded to include various Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms, such as merengue, bossa nova, and cha-cha. He was instrumental in popularizing salsa music, a genre rooted in Cuban son.
Throughout his career, Puente recorded around 120 albums and collaborated with prominent jazz and Latin musicians, including Celia Cruz. He appeared in films like "Radio Days" and "The Mambo Kings" and received five Grammy Awards among other accolades. Puente maintained a demanding performance schedule until his passing on May 31, 2000, in New York City.
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