Tito Puente

Composer

Birthday April 20, 1923

Birth Sign Taurus

Birthplace New York City, NY

DEATH DATE Jun 1, 2000 (77)

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About

Pioneering Latin salsa composer who created numerous hits and won five Grammy Awards for his distinctive musical sound. His music appeared in the movie The Mambo Kings, which was released in 1992. 

Before Fame

He studied at the Julliard School of Music under the GI Bill and started his popular orchestra in the 1950s.

Trivia

He made over 100 albums in all and wrote close to 200 original compositions, earning the title El Rey de Los Timbales or The King of the Timbales.

Family Life

He was married to Margaret Asencio from 1963 to 2000. He had three children named Tito Jr., Audrey, and Richard. His father was a factory foreman, and his mother first enrolled him in piano lessons.

Associated With

He appeared in the movie "The Mambo Kings," starring Antonio Banderas.