Tito Puente Festival
at LatinJazzClub Magazine

LatinJazzClub Magazine asked Vicki Sola', host/producer of WFDU-FM's "Que Viva La Musica" and columnist, Latin Beat Magazine, to reflect on the life and times of the late great Latin music legend Tito Puente:

To me, Tito was the embodiment of our music. The quintessential Nuyorican who took the music -- and the essence of his beloved El Barrio -- all around the planet. Truly, no one played like him --only his sticks could produce that special "roll" on the timbales -- I've seen many great players, but never anyone who could touch Tito. Talk about a genius who had so mastered his craft -- he could clown, dance, im-provise, make and break rules, practically stand on his head and still play, and not even break a sweat. A true Master.

I used to just love standing under his timbales, looking up at him (and jokingly "messing" with him), for two entire sets. I'd always savor the moment he'd finally look down at me and smile, and say softly into the mike, "Vicki Sola'." I'd love to watch him play the vibes, too. I recall him telling me once that he thought he was "an underrated vibraphonist." And, of course, his charismatic personality was intertwined, totally, with his art. He was light itself -- he lit up entire rooms, just by entering them. Since May 31st, 2000, there's been an emptiness, one that can't seem to be filled.

I'll always treasure the moments we had together. I still can't believe that I'll never hear another one of his jokes, or get another of his hugs. I remember all of the stories he told me -- some truly, hysterically funny things that happened to him and to others in the business -- and how he'd preface those stories with, "To make a long story short....."......and of course, these stories were always very involved -- they were never short, they went on forever, but I didn't mind!

I remember a day in 1990, he wasn't feeling well, in fact he missed an appearance on Channel 4's "Live at 5", but he came on my show and spent three hours on-air with me, fundraising. I remember another time when he was
helping me raise funds for my program, and on-air, he volunteered to my audience, "Whoever sends in a dollar, we'll send 'em a CD!" (Fortunately, nobody took us up on his "offer"!!) I do remember, also, on that particular day -- I'll never forget -- that he told me he was proud of me. He said he always knew that I would manage to become an established on-air entity. I feel lucky to have those programs on tape.

I remember the night, years ago, that "my other Dad," Ray Barretto, introduced me to Tito, at the old Club Broadway (on 96th Street in Manhattan.) Tito had that mis-chievious look in his eyes -- just like he did on one of his album covers. I felt like I'd known him forever.

I remember hugging him when he broke down sobbing, at my late mother-in-law, Hilda "Mrs. Machito" Grillo's viewing back in 1997. They had been childhood chums and classmates back on 111th St. She loved him very much, and I do recall thinking that, had she still been living when he passed away, she would have been just devastated.

Tito always made people feel so special, and so important. I remember when I took my son Frank to see Tito play Latin Jazz at a hotel on a Sunday afternoon in midtown Manhattan. It was April of '94, and my son was three
years old. After the performance, we went upstairs to a party for Tito, in one of the suites. Tito, of course, and, as always, was surrounded by a big crowd. When he saw me enter, holding my young son, he forgot everyone else
and yelled to his wife, "Margie, Margie, come here! Here's Vicki's son!" And, he swept my little son up in his arms, and said, "Wow, you lift THIS all the time?!" Again, I'm so lucky -- a friend of mine was there to snap the photo, which has, needless to say, been copied many, many times. And my son, who is now 12, still has vivid memories of that magical after-noon.

The last time I saw Tito, I emceed him and his orchestra at SOB's -- I believe that was September 13th, 1999. When I first got to the club, I went downstairs, as usual, and there he was. He took me aside, but didn't tell me any jokes. He looked into my eyes and said, "Thank you for always remembering my birthday, and for sending me all those pictures of Frankie, and all those cute stories about him." He paused for a few seconds and just looked at me, before continuing. ""We're family. We're family," he said, twice. I shall always treasure that moment. I remember thinking, that night, as I stood under his timbales for two sets, how remarkable it was to see him play the way he did -- he was absolutely ageless. I did worry though, when he seemed breathless at the end of each set, and Ralph Irizarry
and I assisted him, getting off that treacherous SOB's stage. (I've nearly fallen off!!) Shortly after, though, he'd have recovered, and would be laughing and kidding around. But, I still worried.

As I sit here typing, I feel tears welling up in my eyes. I never really thought that Tito would ever leave us -- I knew, intellectually, that no one lives forever....of course, the memories will live forever, and the music will live forever. Sometimes, when I feel downhearted and tired, thinking of him gives me strength to keep doing the things I do. I have a giant poster of him -- that one from his 100th LP -- that I talk to sometimes, as I leave to go to the radio station.

I will never ever forget that morning, that 6 am phone call, informing me that Tito had passed away. I'll never forget waiting until after I sent my son off to school, to cry, and waiting until after school that day, to break the news to my son that "Uncle Tito" had died, and how my son could not accept the fact that the doctors could not save him. I'll never forget, even the young police officers, wiping tears away, standing guard by his casket, at the Riverside. And, how he didn't look anything like himself. I'll never forget the day of his funeral -- how the skies opened up and torrents and torrents and tons and tons of tears, poured from the clouds all day, the day he traveled through his Barrio for the last time, and was finally laid to rest.

May God Bless Tito and his family, always. I was truly blessed to have known Tito. We were all truly blessed to have had him. He will always represent the best of us, all over this planet.

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