Paint it up
Tito Puente Jr. and His Latin Big Band played to honor his late father last Friday at the Dvorak Concert Hall in the Doudna Fine Arts Center.
Puente performed at Eastern as a part of Latin Heritage Month.
Puente played a variety of music. The songs where performed in Spanish, but when Puente stopped to talk to the audience, he spoke in both Spanish and English. When Puente would stop and talk to the audience between songs, he would give them background information about each song. His song genres ranged anywhere from 1950’s mambo sounds to Cuban rhythm music.
Most of the songs Puente performed belonged to his father, but Puente also performed a few songs from his new CD, “Got Mambo.”
Puente seemed to really enjoy himself on stage and would even joke with the audience between songs.
Puente mentioned his father numerous times throughout the show and the audience could tell how much Puente’s father meant to him.
“1949.what a great year. It was the year my dad started his career,” Puente said.
By the end of the show, Puente had the audience dancing in the aisles of the auditorium.
“Did you all feel it? I saw you all dancing. I’m getting to you,” Puente said.
The diverse group of audience members seemed to really enjoy themselves at the show. People clapped, danced and sang along to all Puente’s songs.
During the show Puente even dedicated a song off his new CD to his new baby son. This song became a favorite moment for some of the concert-goers.
“My favorite part of the show was when he (Tito Puente Jr.) did the tribute song for his son. It let us know he’s very family-oriented,” said Amber Brigsby, a senior elementary education major.
At the end of the show, Puente came onstage wearing a blue Eastern T-shirt and the crowd went wild.
Audience members enjoyed the interaction Puente had with all his fans.
“The show was very entertaining. I thought it was great that he’s following his father’s legacy,” Dantavia Payne, a senior early childhood education major, said.
Puente also stayed after the show to sign autographs, pose for photos and talk with his fans. Puente has been performing since he was 16 years old, and he credits his father.
“My father is a great inspiration for why I perform. It’s a wonderful feeling and people remember this. He is the only and true influence for why I do what I do. And my children now too,” Puente said.
Puente feels honored to be the main event during Latin Heritage month.
“I’m glad I can be a pinnacle of light to the Latin community. I am proud to be a Latino. I’m very humbled by it,” Puente said.
Samantha Bilharz can be reached at 581-7943
Paint it up
Junior athletic training major Ben Rayburn waits to compete in the boat race Monday as part of the Residents on Campus Festival put on by the Residence Hall Association. (Kim Foster
