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American Composer, Conductor, and Percussionist • 1923-2000
The King of Latin Jazz • El Rey de los Timbales
Fast Facts
- Tito Puente was a musical pioneer who fused jazz with Latinx styles like mambo, cha-cha, salsa, merengue, and more.
- His parents came from Puerto Rico.
- He was born Ernesto Antonio Puente, Jr.
- He grew up in Spanish Harlem in NYC.
- He attended the Julliard School of Music.
- He won 5 Grammys.
- His timbales are now at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
Musician of the Month Project 