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 Basic Test by Bobby Sanabria, 1990
Postscript by Bobby Sanabria, June 2000
PART 7: MILLENNIUM MAMBO MAN
Again showing the reverence young artists had for him, Tito was ask to appear as a guest on vocalist Marc Anthony's recent blockbuster HBO special. He also began concertizing with local symphonies, featuring his orchestra on the same bill. This culminated with a recent performance in late April 2000 with the Puerto Rico Symphony that was filmed for an upcoming documentary on his life. It was during this performance that Tito began to feel the effects of a leaky heart valve that had troubled him over the last few years. After several weeks of recuperation and mastering a new recording project, collaboration with pianist Eddie Palmieri, he entered New York City's famed NYU clinic to have the problem corrected. Before going into surgery, Tito visited other patients and graciously signed autographs.
Farewell to the King
During the procedure, it was discovered that Tito also needed a quadruple bypass. The operation began at 9 a.m., passed the 14-hour mark. Tito's body could not take any more. At approximately 11:15 p.m. on May 31, 2000, the King of Latin Music said goodbye to this world in the presence of his family and closest friends. On June 4th and 5th over 15,000 New Yorkers, including a who's who of musicians, celebrities and politicians paid their respects to "El Rey". But most impressive were his "subjects."-- the dancers, listeners, and just plain fans that showed their loyalty to this man's all encompassing reign. Tito was truly loved by those he touched. And, not enough can be said about the Puente family. His sons Ronnie and Tito, Jr., along with his daughter Audrey greeted every visitor in their time of personal sadness with appreciation for the public's love of their father. Margie Puente met close friends and family with the same accessibility and warmth that had helped make her well-known husband famous.
The Call to Excellence
On June 6, 2000 Ernest Anthony Puente, the son of a foreman and a homemaker, was buried in St. Anthony's cemetery, near his home in upstate New York. In a moving eulogy Felipe Luciano mentioned what Tito represented excellence. He posed the question. Would we be ready to make the same kind of commitment to excellence in our profession, in our lives, just as Tito did? Audrey, his daughter, spoke of fond personal memories that made those who attended realize that although Tito was a celebrity, he was also a beloved father.
Child of Obatala
Tito was a Santero, a child of Obatala. The Yoruba deity of creativity and King of the white cloth -- a wise fatherly figure like Tito. The pouring rain at Tito's burial was a fitting symbol of Obatala's cleansing grace as friends and family said goodbye. Although he is physically gone, he lives in the music that we listen and dance to, and in the company that Martin Cohen founded to represent excellence in percussion. A mentor to many like myself and Martin, I will always smile and think of Tito when I hear the beautiful bell-like tone of a well-played timbale or hear someone ask a dancer, "Can you come off on two?"
Tito Puente, a true American icon that experienced everything this country had to offer and rose from "El Barrio" to become a king. Maferefon o hijo de Obatala. The king is dead. Long live the king!
Essential suggested Puente listening:
Puente Goes Jazz
Night Beat
Top Percussion
Puente In Percussion
Dancemania
Tito Puente & His Concert Orchestra
Carnival In Harlem
Mambo Birdland Revolving Bandstand
Herman's Heat, Puente's Beat
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