New York City native and child music prodigy Tito Puente enjoyed fame as the Latin King while bridging global cultures. He was also "a proud American," serving his country in battle from North Africa to Okinawa in World War II. You might say Tito Puente was born to connect cultures.
Puente, after all, is the Spanish word for bridge. The New York City native, born to parents from Puerto Rico , found fame the world over as the Latin King, the Mambo King or, simply, El Rey — the King, in Spanish. His story is all American.
MEET THE AMERICAN WHO INSPIRED AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL, JOHN GRIFFITH, WWI VET AND SPORTS PIONEER Beloved for his multicultural percussion , Afro-Cuban rhythms and crossover compositions, Puente enjoyed acclaim that spanned generations and genres. The timbale, a set of high-standing drums developed in Cuba in the early 20th century, was his specialty. Tito Puente, celebrated for popularizing Latin music in the United States, served in nine battle missions aboard the escort carrier USS Santee (CVE29) during World War II.
(Christian DUCASSE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images) "Master drummer, percussionist, pianist, saxophonist, vocalist, composer, orchestrator, arranger and conductor," the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College wrote in a 2011 tribute about the favorite son. "Out of the lengthy list of musicians who have contributed to the development and acceptance of our music throughout the world, none is more recognized than the man known simply as .