Tito Puente
Birth Name:
Ernest Anthony Puente
Birth Place:
New York City, New York, United States
Profession
Soundtrack, Actor
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