Tito Puente

Born April 20, 1923 in NYC 

Died 2000

Musician, band leader and record producer, he’s known as the “King of Latin Jazz.” 

A percussionist known for playing high-pitched drums called timbales, he helped popularize a variety of Latin dance music styles in the US like salsa, meringue and cha-cha.

Best known for his 1963 hit “Oye Cómo Va,” he earned 5 Grammy awards and even played himself in the film Mambo Kings.

Served in the Navy during WWII and said “If there is no dance, there is no music.”