In this vibrant bilingual picture book biography of musician Tito Puente, readers will dance along to the beat of this mambo king's life. Tito Puente loved banging pots and pans as a child, but what he really dreamed of was having his own band one day. From Spanish Harlem to the Grammy Awards—and all the beats in between—this is the true life story of a boy whose passion for music turned him into the "King of Mambo." Award-winning author-illustrator duo Monica Brown and Rafael López bring the remarkable story of this talented legend to life in this Pura Belpré Honor Book. Supports the Common Core State Standards.

A vibrant bilingual picture-book biography that portrays the musical and cultural phenomenon of Tito Puente, Mambo King.

(Book). Biography of the legendary Tito Puente and a brief history of Afro-Cuban/salsa music that he popularized throughout the world. A 2-hour DVD includes Tito discussing his incredible 50-year career as a band leader and the influence of other musicians from Cachao to Celia Cruz to Santana had on him. It also features Tito soloing on his legendary gold timbales. The book includes a discography and 50 archival photos.

The late, great Tito Puente was a giant in the world of Latin music. This exceptional book/audio package, co-written with Jim Payne, includes an extensive biography of Tito, a history of Afro-Cuban music, archival photos and step-by-step instruction in Afro-Cuban music for timbales and drumset. Words of advice from the Mambo King himself accompany the timbale and drumset instructional examples by Tito and Jim Payne. AND?inside the 187 page book is a link to 53 mp3 audio files including the original recordings of twelve of Tito's classics, the mambos and cha chas that made him famous, along with band director Jose Madera's authentic hand-written charts for these songs. Also included are transcriptions of three of Tito's most famous timbale solos. "Tito Puente left us his music and now his technique." - Sam Rodriguez. "The best book on playing Timbales." - Cuban Music Lover."More than a little 'SALSA!' from the Mambo King!" - D. Koltonon."More than I bargained for, and worth every penny!"- A. Customeron.

Biography of multi-instrumentalist, composer, bandleader, who by the time of his death in 2000 had left behind an indelible influence on Afro-Cuban jazz.

Ernesto "Tito" Puente born in 1923 in Spanish Harlem is a tale about an impoverished Puerto Rican boy who grew up with the advent of radio and American swing bands. At age ten he aspired to be a dancer: another Fred Astaire. An ankle injury gave him the opportunity to explore his talent as a musician. At fourteen he won the coveted Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa drum contest.

Everyone knows the flamboyant, larger-than-life Celia Cruz, the extraordinary salsa singer who passed away in 2003, leaving millions of fans brokenhearted. indeed, there was a magical vibrancy to the Cuban salsa singer. to hear her voice or to see her perform was to feel her life-affirming energy deep within you. relish the sizzling sights and sounds of her legacy in this glimpse into Celia’s childhood and her inspiring rise to worldwide fame and recognition as the Queen of salsa. Her inspirational life story is sure to sweeten your soul.