Tito Puente
- Type: Bandleader
- Country: United States
- Born: April 20, 1923 in New York City, New York, United States
- Died: May 31, 2000 in New York City, New York, United States
- Active: 1923 - 2000
Biography
Tito Puente was a pioneering American bandleader, composer, and percussionist known as "El Rey de los Timbales" (The King of the Timbales). A key figure in Latin jazz, he was celebrated for his virtuosic timbales playing and charismatic stage presence. Born to Puerto Rican parents in Spanish Harlem, Puente fused Afro-Cuban rhythms with big-band jazz, popularizing mambo, cha-cha, and what would later be called salsa. His prolific career spanned over five decades, resulting in more than 100 albums, including the influential 'Dance Mania'. His composition 'Oye Como Va' became a global hit after being covered by *Carlos Santana*, cementing Puente's legacy as a central architect of modern Latin music.
Genres
Tito Puente Discography
- Dance the Cha Cha Ch谩 (1955) - Album - rated 3.75/5
- Puente in Percussion (1956) - Album - rated 3.5/5
- Dance Mania (1958) - Album - rated 3.86/5
- Top Percussion (1958) - Album - rated 3.43/5
- Mucho Cha Cha (1959) - Album - rated 3.78/5
- Tamb贸 (1960) - Album - rated 3.95/5
- El rey bravo (1962) - Album - rated 4.03/5
- Mambo Birdland (1999) - Album - rated 3.94/5