Tito Puente Festival
at LatinJazzClub Magazine
Remembering Tito Puente
Thomas Peña (New York City)
Co-editor for Latinjazznet.com
It's not uncommon to hear
Tito Puente compared to Bach, Beethoven and Ellington. While
there is some truth to these analogies, Ernest Anthony Puente
was one of a kind.
Tito was one of the most influential
artists in the development of Latin music during the twentieth
century. He made more recordings and performed in more countries
than any musician I know. When all is said and done, Tito enjoyed
one of the most illustrious careers in the history of Latin music
(and jazz).
Perhaps journalist Aurora
Flores said it best when she eloquently describe Tito Puente
as a man who, "walked with kings and a president as comfortably
as he strutted with society⤙s forgotten,
performing as eagerly in a garbage-strewn park as he did at Carnegie
Hall."
What's more, Tito was a tireless
advocate of Latin music and an Ambassador of good will. He has
inspired countless generations of musicians, dancer's and listeners
around the world.
His legacy lives on through
a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, 6 Grammy Awards (one awarded
posthumously), numerous honorary doctorates, the prestigious
National Medal of Arts, a Who's Who in America's listing, films
(The Mambo King, Calle 54, etc.), television (Sesame Street,
The Bill Cosby Show, The Simpson's and various documentaries),
countless compositions composed in his honor, the Tito Puente
Scholarship Fund and a street named after him in Spanish Harlem
(110th Street and Park Avenue).
In an interview with Steven
Loza, author of "Tito Puente and the Making of Latin Music"
(University of Illinois Press) Tito stated, "I have a beautiful
home life - (with) my wife, Margie. I have my daughter and two
sons. I have peace of mind in my house...I have good vibes for
the people." In a word, Tito was a man who was truly happy
with his fate.
Prior to his passing Tito
matter-of-factly mentioned that he had his sights set on being
the first musician to perform on the moon. Is there any doubt
that he would have accomplished his mission had he lived?
I was one of the many who
stood in line at Tito⤙s funeral on May 31,
2000. On the back of the memorial card there is a prayer which
reads, "May the Choirs of the Angels receive thee and mayest
thou have rest everlasting."
Long live the legacy of Tito
Puente - the undisputed King of Latin music!
READ MORE:
Noted musicians, Jazz Journalists,
radio hosts reflect on the life and times of the "King of
Latin Music" Tito Puente: Larry
Harlow, Sonny Bravo, Jose Madera, John Santos, Arturo O'Farrill, Howard
Mandel, Victor Mendoza, JC Johnny Conga, Ruben
Rodriguez, Rudy Mangual, Ralph Irizarry, Mark Levine, Erik
Chico Manqueros, Vicki Sola', Cuban
Pete & Barbara Craddock, Chembo Corniel, Luis Moreno, Bob
DeSena, Ramiro Burr, Dr. Jazz, Kevin Espinosa, Nina
Olson, Andrea Brachfeld,
Mark
Weinstein, Richie Gajate, Michael Bongard, Jesse
"Chuy" Varela,
Memo
Acevedo, Norberto Rivera,
Richard
John Cadena, Trevor Salloum,
Rae Arroyo, Mark Holston, Thomas Peña, Yosvany Terry
Cabrera, Tomas Algarin
BUY
TITO PUENTE MUSIC
This interview was edited
by
Bobby Ramirez
br@latinjazzclub.com
Photo by Jorge Garcia from
the album: Tito Puente Mambo Birdland
