Tito Puente is an American-born Puerto Rican known for bringing Afro-Cuban and Carribean rhythms to the American music scene. Not many know that Tito wrote the song ‘Oye Como Va’ in 1963 that was recorded and made famous, by Carlos Santana in 1970 on the album ‘Abraxas’. After serving in WWII, the GI Bill enabled him to go to the prestigious Julliard School of Music where he majored in conducting, orchestration, and theory. A five-time Grammy Winner, Tito brought Mambo to the masses and later, Salsa became his trademark. Mr. Puente starred in The Mambo Kings with Antonio Banderas and Armand Assante, which featured the song, ‘Beautiful Maria of My Soul’. This was Antonio’s first English speaking role. Tito Puente has always been known as ‘The King of the Timbales’
Bucky Pizzarrelli is a jazz/swing guitarist who began his career in the NBC band for Johnny Carson’s ‘Tonight Show’ and although not a pop/rock fan, played guitar on many of the Dion and the Belmonts sessions, such as ‘The Wanderer’. Bucky also played with Les Paul, creator of the now famous ‘Les Paul’ guitar and toured off and on with Benny Goodman. Check out Bucky with the Les Paul Band at The Irridium Club in NYC. Pizzarrelli is best known for playing the seven-string guitar which allowed for walking bass lines behind his rhythms. He was a student of George Van Eps, an innovator and inventor of the seven-string guitar. Bucky plays regularly with his son, John, who he has taught from childhood. Their version of ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ makes them sound more like brothers, than father and son.
Lionel Hampton was a master of the Vibraphone, which is basically a xylophone with metal keys, a sustain pedal, and resonators that add vibrato. In 1930 he began playing with Louis Armstrong and went on to jam with notables Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa. His song 1957 song ‘Flying Home’ dares you to listen and NOT tap your feet. While recording for Decca Records his band consisted of guitarist, Wes Montgomery, singer, Dinah Washington, and bassist, Charlie Mingus. ‘I Know How To Do It’ will take you back to 1943 and understand what ‘cool daddio’ really meant. A jazz and soul icon, Quincy Jones toured with his band for many years.
