One of the earliest performers to fuse Afro-Carribean rythyms with the sounds of a big band, Tito Puente became one of America's most famous and beloved artists. The five-time Grammy Award winner worked with numerous luminaries in the music world over his 60-year career, including such legends as Celia Cruz, Machito, and Woody Herman. With well over 100 albums recorded during his lifetime, Puente deserved the nickname "El Rey (The King)."

Puente was born in Spanish Harlem in 1923, and quickly began his long musical journey by taking piano lessons at the age of seven. Three years later, he swithched to the drums and other various percussion instruments, which led to gigs with such early groups as Los Happy Boys and more importantly, with Frank "Machito" Grillo and his orchestra. It was Machito who persuaded Puente to switch to the timbales, the type of drums that would make Puente famous.

Despite a three-year hiatus from music after being drafted by the US Navy to fight in World War II, Puente continued in music after his discharge while earning a degree in music theory from the famed Juilliard School of Music. Puente formed his own group called The Piccadilly Boys, later changing the name to the Tito Puente Orchestra, and releasing his first single titled "Abaniquito" in 1949.

Perhaps the song that is synonomous with Puente is "Oye Como Va." The song was a major hit for him during the 1960s, but became an ever bigger hit the following decade when the rock group Santana covered it. Throughout his long career, Puente toured relentelessly and recorded almost as hard. in 1991, he recorded his 100th album titled El Numer Cien, but this would not be his last.

Puente's illustrious career came to an end on May 31, 2000. He had suffered heart problems earlier in the month while on tour in Puerto Rico, but continued to perform in spite of them. After entering the hospital on May 31 to have heart surgery, Puente slipped into a coma and never woke. Puente was to perform during New York's Puerto Rican Day parade the following week, and was scheduled to have his final album released later that year.
Climb to Fame
King of Latin based Jazz, or mambo, known for his hit song "Oye Como Va," later made famous by the rock group Santana.
Work History
(1997) Is awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Clinton.

(1992) Appears in the film Mambo Kings.

(1990) Releases his 100th album titled El Numero Cien (Number 100).

(1979) Performs for President Jimmy Carter.

(1968) Hosts his own television variety show called The World of Tito Puente.

(1960s) Begins to perform more Jazz based music, playing with such musicians as Woody Herman and Buddy Morrow.

(1949) Records his first single titled "Abaniquito" for Tico Records. Later that year he is signed to RCA Records.

(1948) Forms his own group called the Piccadilly Boys, later changing the name to the Tito Puente Orchestra.

(1942-1945) Is drafted by the U.S. Navy to fight in World War II. Upon leaving the Navy, Puente is awarded a Presidential Commendation.

(1941) Joins the Latin big band of Frank "Machito" Grillo.

(1936) Performs for the first time in public with the group Los Happy Boys.
Affiliations
Tito Puente Scholarship Foundation
Awards
Tito Puente has also won numerous Awards