Via Wikimedia Commons
Tito Puente
1923–2000
The 'King of Latin Music,' bandleader and percussionist of Puerto Rican descent who popularized Latin jazz
Ernesto Antonio "Tito" Puente Jr. (1923-2000) was a Puerto Rican-American musician, songwriter, and bandleader known as "The King of Latin Music." Born in Spanish Harlem to Puerto Rican parents, Puente was a virtuoso percussionist (timbales and vibraphone) who recorded over 100 albums and won five Grammy Awards.
Puente served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and studied at the Juilliard School on the G.I. Bill. His career spanned six decades, during which he was central to the development of mambo, Latin jazz, and salsa music. His most famous composition, "Oye Como Va" (1963), was later covered by Carlos Santana, introducing Latin music to a global rock audience.
Puente was a cultural ambassador who brought Puerto Rican and Latin American music to the world stage while insisting on the dignity and artistic sophistication of the tradition. He received a Congressional Gold Medal nomination and was honored by the Smithsonian Institution.