A Salute To The King Of The Mambo
A Salute To The King Of The Mambo
DANBURY â The legendary Tito Puente known as âEl Rey â The King of the Mamboâ and the Ambassador of Latin Jazz passed away on May 31, 2000, at the age of 77. The musical legacy of this jazz legend live on in the orchestra that he shaped and guided for over 40 years.
The popular Tito Puente Orchestra is in demand today and will be featured at Ives Concert Hall on Saturday, November 17. The greater Danbury region is fortunate to play host for this superb ensemble for a memorable night of fun, hot, jazzy and exotic music. Command Performance is proud to present the 14-piece orchestra, with special guest Dave Valentin.
The Tito Puente Orchestra boasts some of the finest Latin jazz musicians working today, including John Rodriguez (bongo player and percussionist), who joined the Tito Puente Orchestra when he was 16 years old. Today Mr Rodriguez is known as one of the leaders and innovators in the New York City Latin music scene responsible for bringing modern Cuban music to New York and the East Coast.
Mario Rivera (sax, flute and other reeds) is one of the original members of Tito Puente Orchestra and has also performed with jazz giants Machito, Eddie Palmieri and Dizzy Gillespie. Sonny Bravo (piano), who has been performing with Tito Puente since 1985, was one of the founding members of Tipica 73 (along with Mr Rodriguez and Mr Rivera) which was a force in the salsa scene in New York City from the 70s through the 80s and Jose Madera (timbales) who is the main arranger for the orchestra and has recorded with James Brown and Diana Rossâ¦
Special guest conductor Dave Valentin, a virtuoso Latin jazz flutist, GRP (Dave Grusin/Larry Rosen) recording artist with 18 albums as a leader and now recording with Concord Vista, will lead the orchestra as it performs the fiery Latin rhythms and swinging jazz arrangements that define the distinctive Puente sound.
The Tito Puente Latin Jazz Orchestra also consists of George DelGado on congas, Mitchell Frohman on sax, Reynaldo Jorge on trombone, Lewis Kahn on trombone and violin, bassist Bernard Minoso, Pete Miranda on baritone sax, vocalist Efrain Morales, Ray Vega on trumpet and flugelhorn, and John Walsh on trumpet.
The orchestra, which is made up of the best Latin jazz players today, will play two 45-minute sets of straight Latin jazz interspersed with a variety of musical numbers introducing the audience to dance music such as mambo, salsa and cha-cha-cha. The orchestra will perform concert style but guests are encouraged to dress festive with colored/flowered shirts, ties, scarves, colorful accessories, etc.
Tickets are $35 for Reserve Center Orchestra; this section is available by advance reservation only, call 825-3131.
General admission tickets are $25 in advance for adults, or $35 at the door. For students, general admission tickets are $15 in advance, or $20 at the door. For additional information including ticket venues, contact Command Performance at 825-3131.