| First Name |
Tito
|
| Last Name |
Puente
|
| Full Name at Birth |
Ernesto Antonio Puente Sr.
|
| Alternative Name |
El Rey, The King of Latin Music, "El Rey de los Timbales", Ernesto Antonio Puente, Ernest Anthony Puente Jr., Ernest Anthony Puente, Ernest Anthony Puente Sr., Ernesto Antonio Puente Sr.
|
| Birthday |
20th April, 1923
|
| Birthplace |
New York City, New York, USA
|
| Died |
31st May, 2000
|
| Place of Death |
New York City, New York, USA
|
| Cause of Death |
Heart attack
|
| Buried |
Saint Anthonys Church Cemetery, Nanuet, Rockland County, New York, USA
|
| Build |
Average
|
| Eye Color |
Brown - Dark
|
| Hair Color |
Grey
|
| Zodiac Sign |
Aries
|
| Sexuality |
Straight
|
| Ethnicity |
White
|
| Nationality |
American
|
| Occupation Text |
Musician, songwriter, record producer
|
| Occupation |
Musician
|
| Claim to Fame |
The Mambo Kings
|
| Music Genre (Text) |
Afro-Cuban jazz, Mambo, Salsa, Nuyorican Soul, Latin jazz
|
| Music Genre |
Latin, Percussion
|
| Year(s) Active |
1946–2000
|
| Music Style |
World Fusion, Jazz, Latin Jazz, Mambo, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Latin Big Band, Cuban Jazz, Cuban Traditions, Salsa, Latin Pop, Son
|
| Music Mood |
Party/Celebratory, Carefree, Spicy, Summery, Stylish, Amiable/Good-Natured, Earthy, Cheerful, Sophisticated, Rousing, Passionate, Freewheeling, Fun, Energetic, Sensual, Exuberant, Joyous
|
| Instrument |
Percussion, Leader, Timbales, Vibraphone
|
| Instrument (text) |
Timbales, Vibraphone, Drum set, Sax, Piano, Bass, Congas, Bongos, Etc.
|
| Record Label |
Fania Records, Sony Discos, RMM Records, Tico Records, Concorde Picante, Tico, Fania, RMM, Concord Picante
|
| Associated Acts |
La Lupe, Celia Cruz, Santos Colon, The Blackout All-Stars
|
Ernesto Antonio "Tito" Puente, Jr. (April 20, 1923 – June 1, 2000) was a Puerto Rican musician, songwriter, record producer and bandleader. The son of Ernest and Felicia Puente, native Puerto Ricans living in New York City's Spanish Harlem, Puente is often credited as "The Musical Pope", "El Rey de los Timbales" (The King of the Timbales) and "The King of Latin Music". He is best known for dance-oriented mambo and Latin jazz compositions that endured over a 50-year career. He and his music appear in many films such as The Mambo Kings and Fernando Trueba's Calle 54. He guest-starred on several television shows, including Sesame Street and The Simpsons two-part episode "Who Shot Mr. Burns?". His most famous song is "Oye Como Va".
