His family moved frequently, but he spent the majority of his childhood in the Spanish Harlem area of the city.Puente's father was the foreman at a razorblade factory. Instrument: Timbales/Bandleader Born: Spanish Harlem, New York "If there is no dance, there is not music. Tito Puente was born in New York City's Spanish Harlem in 1923, where the hybrid of Afro-Cuban and Afro-Puerto Rican music helped create salsa music (the Spanish word for "spice" and "sauce" is salsa). In the course of his long career, Puente received eight Grammy Award nominations, more than any other musician in the Latin music field before 1994. his first hit, "Abaniquito, " on the Tico Records label a year later. Santana also covered Puente's "Para Los Rumberos, " which Puente recorded in 1956. Tito Puente was born on April 20, 1923, at Harlem Hospital Center in the New York borough of Manhattan. Flamboyant and innovative percussionist who infused big-band music with Latin sounds to become El Rey de los Timbales. Henry Mancini. By the early 50's the band had become the Tito Puente Orchestra and was packing them in at New York's Palladium. The son of Puerto Rican immigrants, Puente grew up in New York City’s Spanish Harlem and became a professional musician at age 13. Tito Puente, Mambo King/Tito Puente, Rey del Mambo: Bilingual Spanish-English Children's Book (Pura Belpre Honor Books - Illustration Honor) Monica Brown. This vibrant picture book biography of musician Tito Puente brings the remarkable story . Audrey has two brothers named Tito Puente, Jr. who is a musician and Richard Puente. York City's Puerto Rican Day Parade. RCA released Cuban Carnival, Puente Goes Jazz, Dance Mania, and Top Percussion, four of Puente's most popular albums in the 1950s, between 1956 and 1960. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Around 1936, Puente commenced his professional career as a drummer with the orchestra of Noro Morales. He is best known for dance-oriented mambo and Latin jazz compositions that endured over a 50-year career. Tito Puente Wiki: Salary, Married, Wedding, Spouse, Family Ernesto Antonio "Tito" Puente, (April 20, 1923 – June 1, 2000), was an American salsa musician and Latin jazz composer. As a child, he was described as hyperactive, and after neighbors complained of hearing seven-year-old Puente beating on pots and window frames, his mother sent him to 25-cent piano lessons. In the late 1930s Puente had originally intended to become a professional dancer, but chose to continue performing and composing music after injuring his ankle in a bicycle accident. Puente was born in New York City's Spanish Harlem on April 20, 1923, where the hybrid of Afro-Cuban and Afro-Puerto Rican music helped create salsa music (the Spanish word for "spice" and "sauce" is salsa). He also performed in several films, including Radio Days (1987) and The Mambo Kings (1992), and was responsible for introducing American audiences to a number of Latin musicians, most notably Cuban singer Celia Cruz. Composers. Born of Puerto Rican parentage, Puente began piano lessons when he was seven years old and around the age of 10 started tuition in drums and percussion, which became his forte. Composer. Tito Puente. His mother saw his musical potential and enrolled him in piano classes. In 1969 Mayor John Lindsay gave Puente the key to New York City as a gesture of appreciation. Scroll below and check more details information about Current Net worth as […] In the 1960s Puente began to collaborate more widely with other New York City-based musicians; he played with trombonist Buddy Morrow, Woody Herman, and Cuban musicians Celia Cruz and La Lupe. Puente was awarded ASCAP's most prestigious honor—the Founders Award—in July of 1994. Born In 1923. From the JazzFest Program Biography: Contact Us. Mr. Puente's first hit, ''Abaniquito,'' came one year later. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. After an apprenticeship in the historic Machito Orchestra, he was drafted into the U.S. Navy where he served in World War II.In 1945, he returned to New York to study at New York City's famed Juilliard School and in 1948 formed a band, the Tito Puente Orchestra. Written by Monica Brown. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Born in 1923 #38. Omissions? After returning from Japan, the musician and his orchestra played for U.S. President Jimmy Carter as part of the president's Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. He toured European cities with the Latin Percussion Jazz Ensemble, and recorded albums with them as well in the 1980s. Puente was drafted into the Navy in 1942 at the age of 19 to fight in World War II, which entailed a three-year reprieve from music. Harper Collins 2013. Josip Broz (Serbo-Croatian Cyrillic: Јосип Броз, pronounced [jǒsip brôːz]; 7 May 1892 – 4 May 1980), commonly known as Tito (/ ˈ t iː t oʊ /; Serbo-Croatian Cyrillic: Тито, pronounced ), was a Yugoslav communist revolutionary and statesman, serving in various roles from 1943 until his death in 1980. Composer Born in New York #10. Puente began churning out hits in the 1950s while riding the crest of mambo's popularity, and recorded dance favorites such as "Barbarabatiri, " "El Rey del Timbai, " " Mambo la Roca, " and "Mambo Gallego." While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Tito Puente (1923-2000) was a bandleader, percussionist, composer, and arranger from New York City. Tito Puente Net Worth 2021, Age, Height, Relationships, Married, Dating, Family, Wiki Biography. By the time Puente was ten years old, he played with local Latin bands at neighborhood gatherings, society parties, and New York City hotels. Play Timbales Now: The Basics & Beyond (Spanish, English Language Edition), Book & 2 CDs (Spanish Edition) Puente's talent was elevated to an international audience in the mid-1980s, and he spent time in the early 1990s performing for audiences overseas. Tito Puente (born 1923) is widely considered to be the godfather of Latin jazz and salsa, devoting more than six decades of his life to performing Latin music and earning a reputation as a masterful percussionist. Tito Puente Ernesto Antonio "Tito" Puente (April 20, 1923 – May 31, 2000) was an American musician, songwriter and record producer. Noted for merging Latin American rhythms with contemporary jazz and big band music, Puente's prolific output encompasses over 100 albums recorded between 1949 and 1994. On August 14, 1990, Puente received a Hollywood Star in Los Angles for posterity. Puente also made guest appearances in the films Radio Days and Armed and Dangerous. Composer. Read Full Biography… Tito Puente Biography Tito Puente Net Worthy of: Tito Puente was an American salsa musician and Latin jazz composer who had a net worthy of of $5 million. Tito Puente, byname of Ernesto Antonio Puente, Jr., (born April 20, 1923, New York, New York, U.S.—died May 31, 2000, New York City), American bandleader, composer, and musician who was one of the leading figures in Latin jazz. Most Popular #48618. Puente received an honorary doctorate degree from the College at Old Westbury in the 1980s and appeared at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1984. By the time Puente was ten years old, he played with local Latin bands at neighborhood gatherings, society parties, and New York City hotels. As a child, performed as percussionist/pianist in Los Happy Boys band, New York City; as a teenager, performed with Noro Morales and the Machito Orchestra; performed with Fernando Alvarez and his Copaca-bana Group, Jose Curbelo, and Pupi Campo; formed Piccadilly Boys, 1948, then Tito Puente Orchestra; recorded first … Let's check, How Rich is Tito Puente in 2020-2021? Although salsa—as a specific genre—is rooted in the Cuban son music, the term has often been applied generically to a wide variety of popularized Latin dance forms, such as those performed by Puente. In 1979 Puente toured Japan with his ensemble and discovered an enthusiastic new audience as well as the fact that he had achieved worldwide popularity. He appeared on The Cosby Show, and performed in a commercial for Coca-Cola with Bill Cosby. Puente received five Grammy Awards as well as numerous other honours, and he played 200 to 300 engagements a year until shortly before his death in 2000. Born Ernesto Antonio Puente, Jr., on April 20, 1923, in el barrio Spanish harlem, New York, Puente was a musical pioneer for mixing musical styles with Latin sounds and for his experiments in fusing Latin music with jazz. 4.8 out of 5 stars 113. Ernest Tomlinson. He is the son of mambo musician Tito Puente and the brother of local New York City meteorologist Audrey Puente. Tito Puente Jr. (born June 2, 1971) is a bandleader. His bravura showmanship and string of mambo dance hits in the 1950s earned him the nickname “King of Mambo.” Tito Puente Biography by Richard S. Ginell + Follow Artist. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. Tom Ford. Four years later in 1967 Puente performed a program of his compositions at the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center. Puente grew up in … In 1963 on Tico Records, Puente released "Oye Como Va, " which was a resounding success and is now considered a classic. Early Life Famed jazz composer and bandleader Tito Puente was born Ernesto Antonio Puente Jr. in New York City on April 20, 1923. As his reputation grew, so too did his repertoire, through the addition of other Latin and Afro-Cuban dance rhythms such as Dominican merengue, Brazilian bossa nova, and Cuban cha-cha. He later studied at the Juilliard School and eventually learned to play a number of instruments, including the piano, saxophone, vibraphone, and timbales (paired high-pitched drums). Tito Puente Family, Childhood, Life Achievements, Facts, Wiki and Bio of 2017. He also received Grammy awards for On Broadway in 1983, Mambo Diablo in 1985, and Goza Mi Timbal in 1989. Ernesto Antonio "Tito" Puente (aka Tito Puente… Puente and Santana eventually met in 1977 in New York City's Roseland Ballroom. "- Tito Puente AZQuotes.com. Tito Puente estimated Net Worth, Biography, Age, Height, Dating, Relationship Records, Salary, Income, Cars, Lifestyles & many more details have been updated below. Updates? Puente later added other Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms to his repertoire, including cha-cha, merengue, bossa nova. In 1947 Puente formed his own 10-piece band, which he expanded two years later to include four trumpets, three trombones, and four saxophones, as well as a number of percussionists and vocalists. Ernest "Tito" Anthony Puente was the eldest son of Puerto Rican parents. $12.99. As a teenager, he joined Noro Morales and the Machito Orchestra. In 1948, Puente formed a band that would become known as the Tito Puente Orchestra and a decade later, he released his best-selling album, Dance Mania (1958). Tito Puente was born in New York City's Spanish Harlem in 1923, where the hybrid of Afro-Cuban and Afro-Puerto Rican music helped create salsa music (the Spanish word for "spice" and "sauce" is salsa). First Name Tito. He completed his studies in 1947, at the age of 24. Back to Artists. Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. He recorded Composer. Tito Puente (1923-2000) was a noted Latin-American jazz and mambo bandleader and percussionist, who performed nearly continuously from 1937 to his death, interrupted only by a stint in the Navy. In 1993, Puente guest starred on Sesame Street in multiple segments, including one in which his dance music eventually wins over even Oscar the Grouch. By the time Puente was ten years old, he played with local Latin bands at neighborhood gatherings, society parties, and New York City hotels. Mini Bio (1) Ernest "Tito" Anthony Puente was the eldest son of Puerto Rican parents. Tito Puente was a famous American jazz musician and producer, who was born on April 20, 1923.As a person born on this date, Tito Puente is listed in our database as the 47th most popular celebrity for the day (April 20) and the 51st most popular for the year (1923). L'Orchestra Di Tito Puente, La Orquesta De Tito Puente, La Orquestra De Tito Puente, Orch., Orchestra T. Puente, Orq. First Name Tito #7. Throughout his profession, Puente performed with several leading jazz performers and in addition with many symphony orchestras. Puente befriended bandleader Charlie Spivak while in the Navy, and through Spivak, Puente became interested in big band composition. From musical prodigy on the streets of Harlem to five-time Grammy Award winner; Tito… of a talented legend to life. In 1991 Puente appeared—most appropriately—in the film The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love, which prompted another new generation's interest in his music. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. With other Latin musicians such as Tito Rodríguez and Pérez Prado, he helped give rise in the 1950s to the golden age of mambo, a dance form of Cuban origin; his infectious energy and dynamic stage presence quickly made him a star. $11 Million. Thanks to his always innovative repertoire, this talented musician and composer from New York became one of the leading names of genres and styles such as Mambo, Cha-Cha, Latin Jazz and Salsa music.From the amazing vibes of "Cuban Fantasy" to the iconic hit "Oye Como Va," the following are some of the most essential … He appeared in the movie “The Mambo Kings,” starring Antonio Banderas. Puente recorded his last big band albums in 1980 and 1981. Tri-C 216-987-6000 Corporate College 216-987-2800 Phone Directory Tri-C 24/7 Ask Us a Question Puente released Master Timbalero with his Golden Latin-Jazz Allstars—comprised mainly of other band leaders—in 1994, covering classics such as "The Peanut Vendor" and "Nostalgia in Times Square, " as well as the album In Session with a separate ensemble of musicians called the Latin-Jazz Allstars, is his regular touring group. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. In the course of his career, Puente recorded some 120 albums and maintained a busy performance schedule, appearing with leading jazz musicians such as George Shearing and Woody Herman, as well as with many stars of Latin music and, in later years, with symphony orchestras. Tito Puente Net Worth: Tito Puente was an American salsa musician and Latin jazz composer who had a net worth of $5 million. Billboard 's John Lannert wrote, "As Puente stepped up to the microphone, a segment of the audience broke into an impromptu rendition of the Puente anthem 'Oye Como Va."'. Tito Puente , byname of Ernesto Antonio Puente, Jr., (born April 20, 1923, New York, New York, U.S.—died May 31, 2000, New York City), American bandleader, composer, and musician who was one of the leading figures in Latin jazz. The son of Puerto Rican immigrants, … Corrections? Joe Newman. He remained flexible and open to experimentation by collaborating with others and fusing various musical styles such as mambo, jazz, salsa, and the big band sound of the 1940s. All Rights Reserved. Puente Jr. carries on his father's legacy by presenting, in his performances and recordings, much of Tito Puente repertoire. bill. Born Ernesto Antonio Puente, April 23, 1920, in New York, NY; married; three children. Puente grew up in New York City's Spanish Harlem and at the age of 13, he became a professional musician. Tito Puente 1992. His mother called him "Ernestito" which means "Little Ernest", which was later shortened to "Tito". His mother saw his musical potential and enrolled him in piano classes. Newsweek, November 11, 1991; April 20, 1992. Puente epitomized the Latin-jazz crossover movement in music at the time. Hardcover. Aside from his activities as a bandleader and instrumentalist, Puente also wrote many songs, among which “Babarabatiri,” “Ran Kan Kan,” and “Oye Como Va” have been the most popular. After an apprenticeship in the historic Machito Orchestra (a New York-based Latin jazz group established in 1939), he served in the navy during World War II. Eventually he attended the Juilliard School of Music from 1945-47 on the GI bill. Complete Tito Puente 2017 Biography. Tito Puente was born in New York City's Spanish Harlem in 1923, where the hybrid of Afro-Cuban and Afro-Puerto Rican music helped create salsa music (the Spanish word for "spice" and "sauce" is salsa). This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tito-Puente, Tito Puente - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Puente continued to devote himself to composing, recording, and performing music throughout the 1980s, but his interests broadened at this time. Antonio Banderas. By the time Puente was ten years old, he played with local Latin bands at neighborhood gatherings, society parties, and New York City hotels. Puente hosted his own television show called "The World of Tito Puente, " broadcast on Hispanic television in 1968, and he was asked to be the Grand Marshall of New Down Beat, June 1992; November 1993; August 1994. When Puente's classic hit "Oye Como Va" was covered by Carlos Santana in the early 1970s, a new generation was introduced to Puente's music. While at Juilliard, and for a year after he completed his studies, Puente played with Fernando Alvarez and his Copacabana Group, as well as Jose Curbelo and Pupi Campo. 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