Web Posted: 04/21/2007 08:08 PM CDT

Jennifer Roolf Laster
Express-News

Tito Puente Jr.'s Friday night debut with the San Antonio Symphony happened to coincide with what would have been his legendary father's 84th birthday, he told the crowd.

¡Feliz Cumpleaños!, Tito. You would have been proud.

Puente Sr., who died in 2000, was known as The King of Latin Dance, and his compositions and renditions, including "Oye Como Va" and "Ran Kan Kan" made him a legend. Friday, son Puente Jr. channeled dear old dad in a rockin', cha-cha-cha-inspired evening that had more than a few music lovers shimmying in the aisles.

The show repeats at 2 p.m. today at the Majestic Theatre.

Puente and his five-piece band, as well as second-half conductor Frank Fiore, turned out an overwhelmingly high-energy, festive show.

It would be more appropriate, in fact, to call it an extravaganza, not a concert. And although the show was not an official Fiesta event, it certainly could have been. Puente's chest flashed with bright medals, and dancers and musicians filled the lobby of the Majestic before the show and during intermission.

There were a few unfortunate sound system problems, but it didn't seem to affect the performers, who kept pushing the limits of each piece to amp up the hall's energy. The Livingston/Evans piece "Babarabatiri" was a crowd fave, and the delicate, plaintive sounds of Martinoli's "Cuando Calienta el Sol," dedicated to Celia Cruz, caused more than a few in the audience to start snuggling.

The two bands - Puente's house band and the symphony -- blended perfectly, playing off one another and amplifying each other's strengths.

The evening's first half of Latin-flavored classical selections was smartly programmed - it flew by - and gave the symphony's brass section a chance to shine.

And although the star of the evening, judging by the hoots and hollers, was Puente, it bears noting that the program's first half seemed tailor-made for resident conductor David Cho, whose physical, playful conducting style transcended any language barriers and shaped a sparkling first half of big, brassy and breezy selections.

Special attention should be paid to cellist Kenneth Freudigman for his heartfelt, wrenching turn on Grofé's arrangement of Lecuona's "Malagueña." And the entire symphony turned out passionate and precise work on two arrangements by Carmen Dragon: Marqueiña's "España Cañí," which was forcefully executed, and Abreu's festive "Tico Tico," which set just the right note for Puente's turn in the second half.

jlaster@express-news.net

Tito,

  I attended your concert, last Friday in San Antonio and just wanted to tell you how proud we are of you.

  It was an amazing show and the music was spectacular.

  But... most of all your warmth and caring personality, stole our hearts. I was there (holding 2 small Puerto Rican flags) when you signed and shook hands with this, very excited older lady that could not even get in line. What you missed was the twinkle in her eye and her emotion when she walked away with your autographed picture.

  Maybe you didn't hear it, but when she walked away she said:  "Viva Tito Puente, God bless you". 

  It doesn't get better than that.  I was so touched that by your gesture that by the time I reacted, I couldn't even get in line to say ‘HI' and get your autograph.  But you know what?  It didn't matter. Just to witness that was enough.

  Please keep taking your dad's legacy to the next level.  Never, never, let it die.

We are very proud of you!

Migdalia Aponte  

CCE/CHCS SOFTWARE DESIGN ENGINEER

210-339-2328

apontemi@saic.com

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.   Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)

The year 2006 was a memorable one for the artist,

with more than 50 appearances around the world. 

 His guest appearance in the ABC-TV series "One Life to Live,"

and most notably the birth of his daughter, made this a banner

year for this distinguished entertainer

This year he continues to reign over the casinos, and will perform

as a guest soloist with the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra.

Miami, FL, January 22, 2007. - 2006 was a memorable year in Tito Puente, Jr.'s career. The heir apparent of the indisputable Mambo King, the master of the musical form, toured a large segment of the continental U.S.A. and the world, presenting 50 concerts to sold out audiences and acting in the U.S. television series, "One Life to Live," one of the hottest soap-operas on the ABC Network. However, the most memorable moment by far came with the birth of his first daughter, Miranda Cristina.

"The experience on TV is a memory that lasts a lifetime," Tito referred to his guest shot on "One Live to Live", having been a fan of that popular soap for years.

Among other activities, the performer joined the campaigns of the USO, the organization whose mission is providing aid and entertainment to members of the armed forces dispatched around the world.  Last year, Tito Puente, Jr. took along his inimitable rhythms and musicianship to brighten the stay of the troupes assigned in Spain and Italy.

"I have been committed to USO since 2001," he stated proudly. It is a true honor and one of the greatest rewards of my career, to have had the privilege of bringing my music to those men and women in the armed forces, in whatever part of the world they may find themselves," he added.

"One of the true challenges of 2006 was to face the public at the concert in El Paso, Texas," the artist remembers, refering to his participation in the Music Under the Stars Festival. "More than 15,000 spectators were watching the show, but my nerves vanished once the crowd began to chant, in unison, the lyrics to each and every song, since most were also fans of my father," he said.

Also, throughout this past year, Tito continued on his path to the title "Casino King" in the United Sates.  To each evening of elegance and glamour, he added the Latin rhythm of the mambo, so prevalent in the Hollywood of the 40's and 50's, especially at the casinos of the Harrah's chain, where he'll continue performing throughout this coming year.

"Other memorable evenings were the ones spent at the Friar's Club, such a prestigious place that I've always wanted to visit, that reeks with an elegant nostalgia, where I found the memory of my father is still very much alive," he said.

The year 2007 promises to be no less star-studded in the life of this  musician, who now readies for his upcoming appearances with the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra, gathering more and more followers along the way, especially those who are aware of the Charm and charisma that this artist possesses, like his legendary father, the gift to captivate.

"Still, and in spite of so much, nothing compares to the birh of Miranda," his voice fills with emotion. "She is what's most important, she has changed my life completely, and I only hope to be so blessed as to watch her grow and develop. She is an angel that my father sent down from Heaven to look after me. I've been blessed by her arrival."

Management

Bridge Management, Inc.

Frank Fiore Enterprises, LLC

305 758 8681 office

305 754 9746 fax

frankfiore@bellsouth.net

Adolfo Fernández

F & F Media Corp.

President

adolfofernandez@ffmediacorp.com

305.553.6500

Tito Puente Jr. breezes through his father's hits

BY DAN EMERSON

Special to the Pioneer Press

Sunday was anything but a day of rest for second-generation salsa star Tito Puente Jr.

Puente weathered loss of sleep due to a new baby, a missed flight from Miami and other travel hassles and rushed to Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis just in time to lead his 11-piece salsa band through a concert of hits made famous by his late father.

While Puente was making his way from the airport to the concert hall, his musical director and pianist, Edwin Sanchez, led the group through several Latin-jazz instrumentals. The warm-up set included two jazzy originals by one of the group's two trumpeters, Victor Garcia, and a salsified version of Herbie Hancock's 1960s jazz hit "Maiden Voyage."

Now in his mid-30s, the younger Puente spent the first part of his career achieving his own fame as a popularizer of modern Latin dance music, with a musical fusion containing elements of House and merengue music. Beginning in the '90s, he had several hits on the Billboard dance charts. Since his father's death in 2000, Tito Jr. has devoted more time to ensuring that the "Mambo King's" musical legacy remains prominent in the minds of Latin music followers.

The music covered by Tito Jr. and his band Sunday dated back to 1947, when the elder Puente was just beginning his career in New York City as the foremost creator and popularizer of the driving jazz-mambo fusion known as salsa.

Performances by Tito Jr.'s band inevitably include two of the elder's biggest-selling hits, and Sunday's concert was no exception. One was the cha-cha "El Cayuco," embellished with an extended flute solo by Michael Salter, who is also one of the orchestra's three saxophonists.

While the sophisticated harmonies and melodies of jazz are a primary element in salsa music, the real focus is on the driving dance rhythm. Plenty of drive was provided by ace conguero Danny Feliciano, bongo player Luis Rosario and Puente, who - like his father - leads the band on timbales.

The energy peak came with a rendition of "Oye Como Va," the Puente theme which guitarist Carlos Santana turned into a million-selling cross-over hit in 1970, years after the original had become a salsa anthem. "What can I say about Carlos Santana?" Tito Jr. asked the audience Sunday. "He put me through college ... and my sister ... and my brother. And my mother is still a big fan."

Tito urged the matinee audience to give in to the infectious salsa rhythms and dance in the aisles, and a few dozen audience members did just that.

The most artful singing in Sunday's concert was done by the opening act, Peruvian vocalist Susana Baca, who led an acoustic quartet. Baca originally was brought to the attention of U.S. audiences by art-rocker David Byrne, who recorded her for his Luaka Bop record label back in the mid-'90s. Baca sings not only in Spanish and English but also in Portuguese, French, Neapolitan and Haitian Creole.

Displaying her delicate but expressive voice, she was sensitively backed Sunday by a group that included two percussionists, acoustic guitar and standup bass.

Dan Emerson is a freelance writer and musician in Minneapolis.

Tito Puente, Jr.

At the top of his form

The year 2006 was a memorable one for the artist,

with more than 50 appearances around the world. 

 His guest appearance in the ABC-TV series "One Life to Live,"

and most notably the birth of his daughter, made this a banner

year for this distinguished entertainer

This year he continues to reign over the casinos, and will perform

as a guest soloist with the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra.

Miami, FL, January 22, 2007. - 2006 was a memorable year in Tito Puente, Jr.'s career. The heir apparent of the indisputable Mambo King, the master of the musical form, toured a large segment of the continental U.S.A. and the world, presenting 50 concerts to sold out audiences and acting in the U.S. television series, "One Life to Live," one of the hottest soap-operas on the ABC Network. However, the most memorable moment by far came with the birth of his first daughter, Miranda Cristina.

"The experience on TV is a memory that lasts a lifetime," Tito referred to his guest shot on "One Live to Live", having been a fan of that popular soap for years.

Among other activities, the performer joined the campaigns of the USO, the organization whose mission is providing aid and entertainment to members of the armed forces dispatched around the world.  Last year, Tito Puente, Jr. took along his inimitable rhythms and musicianship to brighten the stay of the troupes assigned in Spain and Italy.

"I have been committed to USO since 2001," he stated proudly. It is a true honor and one of the greatest rewards of my career, to have had the privilege of bringing my music to those men and women in the armed forces, in whatever part of the world they may find themselves," he added.

"One of the true challenges of 2006 was to face the public at the concert in El Paso, Texas," the artist remembers, refering to his participation in the Music Under the Stars Festival. "More than 15,000 spectators were watching the show, but my nerves vanished once the crowd began to chant, in unison, the lyrics to each and every song, since most were also fans of my father," he said.

Also, throughout this past year, Tito continued on his path to the title "Casino King" in the United Sates.  To each evening of elegance and glamour, he added the Latin rhythm of the mambo, so prevalent in the Hollywood of the 40's and 50's, especially at the casinos of the Harrah's chain, where he'll continue performing throughout this coming year.

"Other memorable evenings were the ones spent at the Friar's Club, such a prestigious place that I've always wanted to visit, that reeks with an elegant nostalgia, where I found the memory of my father is still very much alive," he said.

The year 2007 promises to be no less star-studded in the life of this  musician, who now readies for his upcoming appearances with the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra, gathering more and more followers along the way, especially those who are aware of the Charm and charisma that this artist possesses, like his legendary father, the gift to captivate.

"Still, and in spite of so much, nothing compares to the birh of Miranda," his voice fills with emotion. "She is what's most important, she has changed my life completely, and I only hope to be so blessed as to watch her grow and develop. She is an angel that my father sent down from Heaven to look after me. I've been blessed by her arrival."

Management

Bridge Management, Inc.

Frank Fiore Enterprises, LLC

305 758 8681 office

305 754 9746 fax

frankfiore@bellsouth.net

Web Posted: 04/21/2007 08:08 PM CDT

Jennifer Roolf Laster
Express-News

Tito Puente Jr.'s Friday night debut with the San Antonio Symphony happened to coincide with what would have been his legendary father's 84th birthday, he told the crowd.

¡Feliz Cumpleaños!, Tito. You would have been proud.

Puente Sr., who died in 2000, was known as The King of Latin Dance, and his compositions and renditions, including "Oye Como Va" and "Ran Kan Kan" made him a legend. Friday, son Puente Jr. channeled dear old dad in a rockin', cha-cha-cha-inspired evening that had more than a few music lovers shimmying in the aisles.

The show repeats at 2 p.m. today at the Majestic Theatre.

Puente and his five-piece band, as well as second-half conductor Frank Fiore, turned out an overwhelmingly high-energy, festive show.

It would be more appropriate, in fact, to call it an extravaganza, not a concert. And although the show was not an official Fiesta event, it certainly could have been. Puente's chest flashed with bright medals, and dancers and musicians filled the lobby of the Majestic before the show and during intermission.

There were a few unfortunate sound system problems, but it didn't seem to affect the performers, who kept pushing the limits of each piece to amp up the hall's energy. The Livingston/Evans piece "Babarabatiri" was a crowd fave, and the delicate, plaintive sounds of Martinoli's "Cuando Calienta el Sol," dedicated to Celia Cruz, caused more than a few in the audience to start snuggling.

The two bands - Puente's house band and the symphony -- blended perfectly, playing off one another and amplifying each other's strengths.

The evening's first half of Latin-flavored classical selections was smartly programmed - it flew by - and gave the symphony's brass section a chance to shine.

And although the star of the evening, judging by the hoots and hollers, was Puente, it bears noting that the program's first half seemed tailor-made for resident conductor David Cho, whose physical, playful conducting style transcended any language barriers and shaped a sparkling first half of big, brassy and breezy selections.

Special attention should be paid to cellist Kenneth Freudigman for his heartfelt, wrenching turn on Grofé's arrangement of Lecuona's "Malagueña." And the entire symphony turned out passionate and precise work on two arrangements by Carmen Dragon: Marqueiña's "España Cañí," which was forcefully executed, and Abreu's festive "Tico Tico," which set just the right note for Puente's turn in the second half.

jlaster@express-news.net

Dear Friends,

It is with great pleasure that I share the news of the birth of Tito and Gloria's first child, Miranda Cristina Puente, born today at 1:04 PM at Palmetto General Hospital here in Miami.  Miranda weighed 7 lbs. 1 oz. and is 19 1/2 inches tall. Mother, daughter, and papa are all fine.

Regards,
Frank