It's taken me all my life to learn what not to play. -- Dizzie Gillespie

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24 Jan

Tito Puente Jr

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The comparison is inevitable. How could it be otherwise? Tito Puente Jr. carries his father with him – imprinted on his physical being and locked in his soul. It’s in his looks, his joy, his music. No doubt, every time Tito Jr. walks on stage – he walks in his father’s footsteps.

He dances in celebration, throws his head back in pure joy and lights up the room with that oh-so-familiar smile. Tito Jr. is on a passionate mission. The younger Puente is determined to nurture the musical legacy left by his father. He refuses to let it become a distant memory; “He was just too vibrant, too exciting. There was magic in the music my father made. It made people happy, all over the world. My goal is to keep it alive, and in doing so, expose it to a whole new generation.”

Over the past two years, Tito Jr. has found captive audiences who echo his passion. Crowds once lured to a venue by the father’s magic have returned to enjoy the son — participating once again in the high voltage celebration that takes place on stage.

While not totally jazz in his delivery, Tito Jr. has wowed the jazz festivals faithful across the country, among them the New Haven Jazz Festival, Houston Jazz Festival, Harlem Jazz Festival, and the Atlanta Jazz Festival. Tito, Jr. has appeared as a guest of the Dallas Symphony Pops, and will join the San Antonio Symphony for 3 concerts in their upcoming season.

His latest CD, “In My Father’s Shoes,” featuring the classic Puente favorites, was spun off into a television special tribute by BET Jazz.

Tito Puente Jr at Gazarte on March 9 & 10, 2013

Last modified on Saturday, 02 February 2013 09:52
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