SHOW NOTES

Season 3 | Episode 5

More Than Rice and Beans®

Embracing His Father’s Legacy Meet Tito Puente Jr

Episode description:

Even people who don’t know Latin music know Tito Puente. In the 1950s, he brought Latin jazz to the mainstream, earning him the moniker “King of Mambo.” Now, his son Tito Puente Jr. continues his father’s legacy. In this episode of More Than Rice and Beans, Miguel and Tania chat with Tito Puente Jr. about his childhood, career, and traditions. Fans of music of any kind will enjoy hearing this perspective of music history and cheer for Jr’s incredible ability to marry the past and the present in his own unique style. This is one you won’t want to miss!

Highlights:

Tania and Miguel talk with Latin jazz superstar Tito Puente Jr.

Highlights include:

• A look at the legacy of Tito Puente and what it was like to grow up with a father who made music history.
• A discussion on the difficulties and rewards of a music career and why Tito Puente Jr. chose to follow in his father’s footsteps.
• Puente Jr. tells us about the importance of family, heritage, and traditions in his own close-knit family.
• Insight into the pressures of maintaining a legacy while building a name for yourself.
• A look at why Latin jazz music is so uniquely electric and where you can find an experience near you.

About the guest:

Tito Puente Jr. is an internationally recognized powerhouse of Latin jazz percussion. Following in his father’s legendary footsteps, Puente Jr. has performed to audiences across the globe, sharing the joy and heritage of music like mambo with the masses. His 2004 album, In My Father’s Shoes, was turned into a BET Jazz television special, and Puente Jr. was featured on NBC’s The Apollo at 70: A Hot Night in Harlem. He’s also appeared on Dancing with the Stars, One Life to Live, and more. His studio albums have received critical praise, and Puente Jr. continues to perform to sold-out audiences regularly.

Links:

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Listen to Tito Puente Jr.: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ROkqvVDXj5JgmN6z2uFrM?si=u_XS1_r3RraU9TsVV410xw&nd=1

Follow Tito Puente Jr.: https://www.instagram.com/p/CfyonYFO5Rv/?hl=en

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