Tito Puente Festival
at LatinJazzClub Magazine

Remembering Tito Puente

 

Bob DeSena (Santa Clarita, CA)
Bandleader, vibraphonist

I remember Tito Puente not only as the most masterful Latin percussionist of our time, but a true leader, innovator, inspirator and ultimate Entertainer. El Maestro Tito Puente was a leading force in my decision to include the Vibes to my musical endeavors. He, along with the great late Cal Tjader, paved the way for a new generation of Latin music to include the rich sounds of the Vibraphone as a beautiful element in classics known today.

Ramiro Burr
A San Antonio Express-News music reporter and Billboard correspondent, Burr is also the author of "The Billboard Guide to Tejano and Regional Mexican Music," on Billboard Books - rburr@express-news.net

Tito Puente was undoubtedly one of the towering figures in the evolution of salsa and Afro-Cuban jazz music. He was a sincere, dynamic individual who affected all those around him.

Like the deaths of Afro-Cuban music giants Mario Bauza and Perez Prado before him, Puente's death was another major signpost in the long history of salsa. He was prolific (recording more than 100 albums), influential, and ultimately a critical player responsible for shaping the growth and development of the tropical/Caribbean genre.

For his contributions as a percussionist, bandleader, and dazzling performer, Puente will be noted in history books as one of the fundamental and influential figures in salsa music.

Dr. Jazz (Detroit, MI)
Owner of Dr. Jazz Operations, an independent radio & print media record promotion firm in the States specializing in jazz, blues & world music.

I had the esteemed honor of not only handling the national promotion of all of Tito Puente's Tropijazz product, but also of having been his friend. I always thought of him as the Latin Dizzy Gillespie mainly because both Dizzy and Tito had such a wicked sense of humor.

There was a time back in the early 90's when I was questioning whether I had finally "made it" in the music industry. Whether the continual struggle was worth it. I usually try to get to Europe in July in order to go to a jazz festival. I still remember sitting at the airport waiting for my connecting flight, when someone came up behind me and tapped my shoulder. I turned around and it was Tito. He too happened to be on his way to his connection. It was at that moment that I realized I "made it".

Thank you Tito!

Kevin Espinosa (Miami, FL)
Percussionist/Guitarist/Tresero

Tito will forever be the King of Latin music. He broke racial and musical barriers, which in turn opened doors for Latinos at a time that no one thought it possible. He represented his people to the fullest, coming up out of El Barrio to some of the most prestigous schools and theaters of the world, collaborating with the most prominent musical figures of various genres, yet never forgetting where he came from or the people who helped him along the way.

I remember as I began my musical studies, Tito was all I would listen to. I would read everything I could find about him and watch videos in awe of his timbal solos and the way he interacted with his musicians, like no other. Reading his interviews taught me the importance of our music in American culture, and conveyed a level of pride/musicianship in our genre that only made me want to work harder, and harder at every aspect of music I could.

Tito once said, regarding the future of Latin music, that we need to maintain it at the level that so many have worked hard to bring it to, as we represent it to the world as an art form to be respected like the rich culture it comes from, only then will it reach it's next level. I am forever grateful to him for the example he has set, and strive to represent Latin music the way he had.

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