What does it mean to have the right mindset? Only after the kid that bugged the neighbours banging on trash cans went off to war; came back & completed a formal education as a conductor at the prestigious Juilliard School; only after he inspired Carlos Santana to record his hit: Oye Como Va; only after that electrified rock band 'acid rock' version of his song introduced the rest of the USA (again) to the 'Afro-Cuban' or 'Latin' Jazz' beat that was woven into the pop/jazz music of the 1950's; Only after all that had happened, did it happen that I saw Tito Puente perform live....of course, at the time, it was hard to see just how big was the influence of the man who's been called "The Musical Pope" and "El Rey de los Timbales" All I know is when that beat came through, it's said party time loud and clear. His intro went something like this:
'Latin Jazz...Latin Jazz... What is this Latin Jazz?
...Let's play Salsa!'
Bap bap, bap bap,
bap bap,
Bap bap, bap bap
bap, bap
So, Happy Birthday Tito Puente!
El Rey de los Timbales!