Tito Puente Biography

Fast Facts

• Served in the U․S․ Navy during World War II, receiving a presidential commendation for his service
• Studied at the Juilliard School of Music under the G․I․ Bill
• Began learning how to play the drums, piano, and timbales during his childhood and briefly performed as a dancer with his sister, Anna
• Got his big break in the early 1940s after he took over as the drummer for the Machito Orchestra after the original drummer was drafted
• Started his own band, the Piccadilly Boys, in 1948, and later changed the name to the Tito Puente Orchestra
• Best known as a salsa musician and Latin jazz composer who is often referred to as "The King of Latin Music" and wrote the hit song "Oye Como Va․"
• Released 118 records and CDs during his five decades as a performer
• Was described as the king of mambo, recording popular dance songs like "Barbarabatiri," "El Rey del Timbal," and "Mambo Gallego․"
• Had his own television series called "The World of Tito Puente" in 1968