Tito Puente Jr. Shares Stories About His Father’s Music at Veterans Day Event
Heroes & Heritage Award Presented to Tito Puente Sr.
Tito Puente Jr. is proud to share his father’s musical and military legacy with the next generation. Students from Charles A. Prosser Career Academy and nearby elementary schools gathered in the high school auditorium for an assembly Friday morning to kick off Veterans Day weekend with the musician.
In partnership with American Legion Staff Sergeant Jason Vazquez Post #939, Councilman Gilbert Villegas’ office hosted its inaugural Heroes & Heritage event, which it plans to host each year. There, Puente accepted the first Heroes & Heritage Award on behalf of his late father for his father’s service in the Navy during World War II and his commitment to inspiring young musicians. Dad was discharged with a Presidential Unit Citation for serving in nine battles.
Sharing His Father’s Music
The father was a legendary musician, known as the “King of Mambo” and “El Rey de la Música Latin.” He worked on over 100 albums and his music has appeared in several films. He took his music around the world, bringing Latin jazz and mambo to the mainstream. At Friday’s assembly, the young Puente played one of his father’s most famous songs, the 1962 classic “Oye como va,” which was later recreated by Carlos Santana.
A Personal Connection
At first, Puente was not interested in following in his father’s footsteps. He grew up in New York City in the ’70s and ’80s, and fell in love with rock and roll music. However, his father convinced him to learn about Latin music and to carry on his legacy. “He made me go to school. I had to go to university and took drum courses from the great Sam Ulano,” he said. “I had to learn my rudiments and learn to read and write music… (My father) was not a patient man. I was too busy being the ambassador of Latin music.”
A Message to Students
Puente hopes to inspire students to learn about his father’s music and to carry on his legacy. “Mi [apellido] means ‘bridge’ in Spanish,” he said. “That’s what I’m doing now, uniting generations.” He also announced that a documentary was being prepared in honor of his father.
A Veterinarian in the Making
Denise Hernandez, a 13-year-old eighth-grader who attended the assembly, was thrilled to meet Puente and to learn about his father’s music. She told the Sun-Times that she was interested in music, but her real dream was to become a veterinarian.
Conclusion
Tito Puente Jr.’s passion for his father’s music and legacy is evident. He hopes to inspire young people to learn about the rich cultural heritage of Latin music and to carry on the legacy of his father. The Heroes & Heritage event was a great success, and it will undoubtedly be an annual tradition in the future.
FAQs
Q: Who is Tito Puente Jr.?
A: Tito Puente Jr. is the son of the late Tito Puente, a legendary Latin musician and bandleader.
Q: What was the Heroes & Heritage event?
A: The Heroes & Heritage event was an assembly held at Charles A. Prosser Career Academy to honor the musical and military legacy of Tito Puente Sr. and to present the first Heroes & Heritage Award on behalf of his father.
Q: What did Puente play during the assembly?
A: Puente played one of his father’s most famous songs, the 1962 classic “Oye como va,” which was later recreated by Carlos Santana.
Q: What is Puente’s message to students?
A: Puente’s message to students is to learn about Latin music and to carry on the legacy of his father.
