Cultural Events-Eventos / Music-Música

Saturday: Tito Puente Fête

By hola | Published September 22, 2012 | No Comments

This afternoon at the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum, Puente friend and biographer Joe Conzo talks about his late great friend, followed at 8 p.m. by a Tito Puente Dance Party at Artisphere featuring The Mambo Legends Orchestra made up of musicians who once played in Puente’s own band.

From the Artisphere calendar:

JOE CONZO, TITO PUENTE BIOGRAPHER

Get to know the legendary Tito Puente from his best friend and assistant of over 30 years in a discussion with Joe Conzo, author of the bio Mambo Diablo: My Journey With Tito Puente. Then, go back in time as you dance to un-released rarities by Tito Puente, Machito, Jose Fajardo and others, recorded ‘Live’ by Conzo and Puente himself in the 1950’s and ’60’s at the Palladium Ballroom, Birdland and other legendary venues! Mr. Conzo also will sign available copies of his book. Part of the monthly ‘Metro Mambo’ Series, produced and moderated by Jim Byers, host of The Latin Flavor/Classic Edition on WPFW 89.3 FM.

THE MAMBO LEGENDS ORCHESTRA

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Smithsonian Institution’s Anacostia Community Museum and Artisphere join forces across our region’s rivers to celebrate the legacy of Latin-jazz great Tito Puente.

Former musicians of the Tito Puente Orchestra have come together to form The Mambo Legends Orchestra. Filling Artisphere’s 4,000 square foot ballroom with the spirit of the Palladium, The Mambo Legends Orchestra unites all of its incredible musicians together under their new name to bring music to an international audience and to further explore the music of which they have been masters of for over 30 years. The Mambo Legends Orchestra is led by John ‘Dandy’ Rodriguez, Mitch Frohman and musically directed by Jose Madera, each having spent over 25 years working with Tito Puente. The focus of the band is driven by their dedication to keeping the sound of the 50’s and 60’s Palladium era music thriving and moving forward. The Orchestra has successfully kept the sound of the Big 3—Machito, Tito Rodriguez and Tito Puente—alive and well, while allowing for its progression by working with new musical concepts.

Recent Stories