Yesterday we woke up to the sad news that one of America's finest musicians passed away. My earliest image of him was of a man sitting in a flash of lights swinging his drumsticks frantically to play the many drums that surrounded him. When his name was mentioned, it was always in a tone that invoked a standard of greatness for musicians. With the recent fervor over the new Latin explosion, we should all take a moment to remember one of the most tireless Latin musicians who has worked consistently since the 1930s and produced over 100 albums as a band leader.
Tito was born with the name Ernesto Antonio Puente, Jr. on April 20, 1923, in Harlem Hospital, New York City. The name Tito comes from his mother's nickname for him, Ernestito (Little Ernesto). His piano lessons started at the age of seven and his first percussion lessons at the age of ten. Eventually he found the Afro-Cuban timbales, the crisp sounding rack-mounted arrangement of drums, bells and blocks. By the age of thirteen, he had gained the reputation of a child prodigy in Spanish Harlem due to his many matinees with "Los Happy Boys".
In the early 1940's, Tito would find himself playing with Machito and Noro Morales until the United States drafted him for World War II. He would continue to play in the Navy, but he would also receive a Presidential Commendation for service in nine battles. Immediately following his military service, he used the GI bill to receive a formal education at Juliard School of Music. He would later receive honorary doctorate degrees from The College at Old Westbury, Hunter College in New York, Long Island University, and Columbia University.
The 1940's and 50's would see the rise of the Mambo craze. Tito Puente would be crowned king. Later his music style would be called salsa, something he never did agree with. In 1964, he recorded Oye Como Va, which would later become part of Santana's claim to fame in the 1970's. Santana recorded the song on his album Abraxas. Santana helped re-introduce another generation to some of Tito's earliest works. The album, Santana III, included Para Los Rumberos, which Tito recorded in 1956. Santana's dedication to the African rhythms Tito loved so much, and this early relationship with song would probably help in creating the myth that Santana is Puerto Rican (He was born in Autlan, Mexico). During this era, Tito helped define Latin Jazz as a much appreciated music form.
Tito was a world-wide ambassador for Latino culture and heritage. He was always said to be a warm person and an impeccable role model, as his dedication to the community was profound. Recently he joined the campaign to save community gardens used for cultural gatherings in the New York barrios, and was scheduled to join the Puerto Rican Day parade in NYC to protest the events in Vieques and honor the memory of Pedro Albizu Campos. Throughout Tito's career, he was nominated for a Grammy ten times and won his fifth just last year. His 118th album is due to be released on June 20th of this year. It's titled Por Fin (Finally).
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