Tito Puente and the Making of Latin Music (Music in American Life) [Paperback]

Steven Loza (Author)

Book Description

Series: Music in American Life | Publication Date: April 1, 1999

He is known as "El Rey" - the king - and has come to epitomize the Latin experience in music, not just to Latinos throughout the United States and Latin America but to a worldwide audience of all backgrounds. "Tito Puente and the Making of Latin Music" is the first in-depth historical, musical, and cultural look at the career and the influence of this giant of Latin music. In this seminal work, Steven Loza brings the man and his music vividly to life through exclusive interviews with Puente and a number of his close associates, including Hilton Ruiz, Ray Santos, Jerry Gonzlez, Poncho Sanchez, and Joe Conzo, as well as music journalist Max Salazar and former DJ/producer Chico Sesma. Loza shows how Puente's music evolved in tandem with the crystallization of Latin music into its current compelling mix of Afro-Cuban music, salsa, and Latin jazz. Tracing Puente's innovations as a drummer and a bandleader, Loza defines his influence over the course of half a century on Latin music as well as on other musicians and musical genres. Loza also delineates the social and cultural history of Latin music, exploring questions of nationalism and ethnic expression, the play between musical creation and commercial competition, and the politics of so-called multiculturalism as they bear on Latin music and musicians. The book includes detailed musical analyses and a discography of more than a hundred recordings. Celebrating a dynamic performer and a genre that is deeply rooted in America's rich ethnic diversity, "Tito Puente and the Making of Latin Music" traces a significant current in twentieth-century culture and reveals all the vibrancy and color of a consummate artist's life, work, and world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Gives a real insight into the workings of Puente's musical career and his outstanding success. In addition to the images -- both written and photographic -- of Puente's musical scene, there are excerpts from his songs, as well as the scores of some of his pieces of music, which makes this a very interesting publication for the enthusiast." -- British Bulletin of Publications

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0252067789
• ISBN-13: 978-0252067785
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #856,577 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great portriat of "El Rey," Tito Puente!, June 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tito Puente and the Making of Latin Music (Music in American Life) (Paperback)

I loved this book! Admittedly, I am a huge fan of Tito Puente, so my opinion may be a little biased. However, in light of his many achievments and the joy his music has spread throughout the world, it is only fitting that we honor Tito Puente while he is still with us. Thanks to the author, Steven Loza.

The book gives us an overview of Tito's life then proceeds to zero in on various aspects of Tito's career through interviews with Tito and various musicians who have shared the spotlight with him.

I was particularly impressed with Joe Conzo's honesty. Joe Conzo is a historian, close friend of Tito's and his "curator." Many of the musicians interviewed are able to speak volumes about Tito's awesome musical talent. However, Joe Conzo manages to humanize Tito and show us a side of the man we rarely see.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of this book is that one cannot read it without being in awe of Tito Puente's many accomplishments. From the Palladium era in the 50's to Salsa in the 90's, Tito has done it all. As he often says, he has been there and back.

The author's closing thoughts dwell on the spiritual aspects of Tito's music and the joy his music brings. Tito's music brings people together regardless of race, color or creed. It has been said that the Mambo has done more for race relations in this country than our government!

This book is an important part of Latin music history. Also, it is now an essential part of Tito Puente's legacy. We all know Tito Puente's music, or at least we all should! Allow Steven Loza to introduce you to the man.

Tito Puente recently celebrated his 76th birthday and is going strong. Palante Tito!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A vital contribution to our cultural heritage., July 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tito Puente and the Making of Latin Music (Music in American Life) (Paperback)

As a longtime fan of "El Rey," I enjoyed reading about Tito Puente. He is not only a Latino icon but an American institution, even if English-only America refuses to recognize his cultural and musical contributions. The author does a workman's job in exploring Puente through various interviews with musicians, dance promoters, writers, and friends who know Puente well. The book offers good insight into how Puente developed his great sound and establishes the fact that he is a true musical genius like Gershwin and Ellington before him. While the book is the first true biography of Puente, I'm disappointed that it will not reach more people than it should. Unless the reader has an established grasp of Afro-Cuban music and is familiar with musicians in the field, my fear is that the general reader will get lost and lose interest in the book. It's not an accessible book for those who know little to nothing about the music. Still, it's a vital contribution to our understanding of Puente, Afro-Cuban music and the critical role that Latinos have played in developing America.