Tito Puente is making his third appearance on St. Thomas. When I spoke to him recently at his home in New York, he told me he and his 13 member band are very much looking forward to this particular engagement on beautiful Magens Bay. As someone who participates in music and art education through his performances and speaking appearances around the world, this event is perfect for him.
Mr. Puente has been performing since he was 6 years old and shows no sign of slowing down. His 117th album, “Dance Mania Live ‘99” is up for a Grammy Award, his 10th nomination. “I’m 75 and still going. I try to be a role model for the youth worldwide.” he told me. When I suggested that he could be the George Burns of Latin music he responded “ Well, I don’t make people laugh. But then again, he didn’t play the timbales.”
Tito is best know for bringing the percussion section to the front of the stage because of his exciting musical style on the timbales. Before then,all drums, congas, bongos were at the back. According to him “All the bands in the old days had the pretty boy singers up front. I decided to put myself up there and it caught on. Now, when I perform at universities,fairs and jazz festivals, the young crowd gets right into it. They’re very hip to my music today.”
Between 1945 and 1948, Tito completed his formal musical education. His career took off with his 1949 recording of “Abaniquito”. In 1957, because of his major contributions to this art, he was the only Puerto Rican invited by the Cuban government to participate in the 50th Anniversary of Cuban Music. “My music has a lot of Cuban influences and I have assisted with writing about music heritage for many books.”
Ten years later, in 1967, Tito performed at the New York Metropolitan Opera. This was followed by his first television work, “The World of Tito Puente”, and serving as Grand Marshall of the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Then in 1977 he performed with Carlos Santana. The possibility of him and Santana performing together in the future is not out of the question.
When asked about this he replied,” We haven’t been booked together since 1977. Our schedules conflict too much. This doesn’t stop us from jamming with each other when the opportunity presents itself. Carlos and I are good friends and we stay in touch. Maybe for the year 2000 we can pull something together.”
During the 1980’s he created the Tito Puente Scholarship Foundation to benefit talented children. His work and involvement in the foundation is ongoing. This makes him the perfect performer for CEAP’s kickoff event.
Tito has traveled the world over sharing his unique gifts of performing and teaching. He is the recipient of numerous honorary doctorate degrees and has been inducted into the National Congressional Record. He was given the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992 at the 2nd Annual Caribbean Music Awards, and in 1993 received the Smithsonian Medal of Honor for his dedication to his art.
I asked if he was to be put in the Guinness Book of Records, what would it be for. His answer, “ I want to be the leader of the first Latin American band on the moon”. I think he could make it. I found him to be a charming,kind and humorous individual. To me, Tito Puente is a legend in his own time. Something a rare few could qualify for. In the language of his parents “Una legenda en Vida.”
I strongly suggest you don’t miss this opportunity to see him perform for the benefit of our community and our youth. This really will be a different day at the beach because of Tito.
