JAZZ FROM LINCOLN CENTER: TITO PUENTE (RADIO)
Summary
One in this series of jazz music programs, hosted by Ed Bradley, featuring live performances and commentary by established and emerging artists. This program, broadcast from Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, pays tribute to percussionist, singer/musician, bandleader, and composer Tito Puente. In this program, Puente leads and performs with the Lincoln Center Latin Jazz Orchestra, featuring the following musicians: Jose Jerez, Bobbie Purcelli, David Sanchez; trumpeters Ray Vega and Charlie Sepulveda; saxophonists Pete Yellin, Mario Rivera, and James Carter; Steve Toure on trombone; pianist Hilton Ruiz; bassist Andy Gonzales; Jose Madero on timbales; Johnny Rodriguez, Jr., on congas and bells; and percussionists Olubata Milton Cardone, Teddy Holliday, Jr., and Sr., on bata drums and shekeres. As Puente's colleagues praise his talent, Bradley explains that Puente is well-versed in many genres, although he is primarily associated with mambo. Puente plays piano with the Orchestra on his composition, "Mambo Fiesta" and Bradley then describes the musical influences during Puente's youth in Spanish Harlem of the 1930s, including big band music of the jazz era and Afro-Cuban drumming with local musicians. The second Cuban-influenced piece "A Mis Abuelos," features guest trumpeter Arturo Sandoval. Bradley explains that Puente began performing with Machito and his Afro-Cubans, who developed the new Latin jazz by combining the brass orchestra of swing bands with Afro-Cuban rhythms. Dedicated to Dizzy Gillespie, Machito, and arranger Mario Bauza, "Machito Forever" features Mario Rivera and Peter Yellin on tenor and alto saxophone, Sepulveda on trumpet, and the Hollidays, along with Milton Cardona on shekeres. Bradley reviews Puente's career, including his first hit record after World War II; his studies of composition and arranging; and the instruments he learned. Puente plays the vibraphone on Johnny Mercer's composition, "Autumn Leaves." Puente remarks on differences between Latin and jazz music, and Bradley explains the importance of the Latin rhythmic concept, the clave. The program concludes with Gillespie's composition, "Manteca," with Wynton Marsalis on trumpet, and "Night Ritual" with Sandoval.
Details
- NETWORK: NPR National Public Radio
- DATE: April 15, 1996
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:56
- COLOR/B&W: N/A
- CATALOG ID: R:17016
- GENRE: Radio - Music
- SUBJECT HEADING: Afro-Cuban music; Jazz; Mambo (Dance); Music - Analysis, appreciation; Music as a profession; Music, popular (songs, etc.)
- SERIES RUN: NPR - Radio series, 1994-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Steve Rathe … Senior Producer
- Dizzy Gillespie … Composer
- Johnny Mercer … Composer
- Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, The … Music Group
- Olubata Milton Cardona … Instrumentalist, Percussionist, Bata and shekere
- James Carter … Instrumentalist, Saxophonist
- Andy Gonzales … Instrumentalist, Bassist
- Teddy Holliday … Instrumentalist, Percussionist
- Teddy Holliday … Instrumentalist, Percussionist
- Jose Jerez … Instrumentalist
- Jose Madero … Instrumentalist, Percussionist, Timbales
- Wynton Marsalis … Instrumentalist, Trumpeter
- Tito Puente … Composer, Instrumentalist, Pianist, Vibraphonist
- Bobby Purcelli … Instrumentalist
- Mario Rivera … Instrumentalist, Saxophonist
- Johnny Rodriguez … Instrumentalist, Percussionist, Congas and bells
- Hilton Ruiz … Instrumentalist, Pianist
- David Sanchez … Instrumentalist
- Arturo Sandoval … Instrumentalist, Trumpeter
- Charlie Sepulveda … Instrumentalist, Trumpeter
- Ray Vega … Instrumentalist, Trumpeter
- Pete Yellin … Instrumentalist, Saxophonist
- Ed Bradley … Host
- Mario Bauza
- Machito