Tito Puente Festival
at LatinJazzClub Magazine

Remembering Tito Puente

 

Cuban Pete & Barbara Craddock (Miami, FL)
Legendary Mambo dancers from the Palladium Era

Cuban Pete: "Tito was a genius and a good friend. Our relationship spanned many decades; most notable was during the Mambo Era at the Palladium. We worked together on the film, "Mambo Kings," and had the same common goal of keeping the tradition of the clave alive in our performances. I am honored to have had both a professional and personal relationship with a man of his talent and integrity."

Barbara Craddock: "Tito was truly a man of great talent. I was honored to participate (with Cuban Pete) in the dedication of Tito Puente Way in New York City; what an incredible tribute to a man who made Latin music memorable and remarkable! His legacy will live on in his music for years to come."

Chembo Corniel (New York City)
Percussionist

Thank you for thinking of me, it is an honor to reflect on the Master Tito Puente (TP). Growing up in NYC was definately the place to be to hear and see the Master TP. I remember vividly sharing the stage with the TP Orchestra, 1977 at the Corso Night Club in Manhattan. At the time I was performing with Bobby Rodriquez y La Compania.

I always enjoyed listening, learning and speaking with TP in those early years of my musical career. Since then I had substituted and toured with the TP Orchestra (100th Album Tour), it was an honor to experience a master muscian/percussionist at his best. TP was our musical father and friend to all of us. He always had a kind word or a joke to share with everyone. TP's spirit will ways be in my heart and his music in my soul.

Luis Moreno
Jazz Buffalo - moderator for the Latin Jazz egroup

In October of 1997 the City of Brownsville, Texas celebrated the inaugural Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival. The Headliner for the event was Tito Puente. For two consecutive nights, October 31, and November 1, Brownsville was the Latin Music Capital of the World!

A local newspaper asked me to write a brief history of Latin jazz to help promote the event. My instructions were to weave El Rey into the story. As if that story could be written without him!

Backstage after the concert I waited anxiously for my turn to pose for a picture with El Rey. When my turn came I was introduced to him as the author of that article. With great generosity he declared, "Best write up I ever got." I got his autograph on a copy of that paper and I treasure it as I do the memory of those two enchanted evenings.

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