Tito Puente was a prominent Latin jazz musician, percussionist, and bandleader. Born on April 20, 1923, in New York City, he played a crucial role in the evolution of Latin jazz and salsa music. Puente's career spanned over five decades, during which he released numerous albums and performed at numerous events, earning him numerous awards and a place in the Latin music hall of fame. He passed away on June 1, 2000.