Hostos Center for Arts and Culture work of the legendary Tito Puente, “the King of Latin Music" Bassist, Carlos Enríquez, President Dr. David Gómez
Left to right: Bassist, Carlos Enríquez, President Dr. David Gómez,
Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Ana Martínez and
Foundation Board Chair, José A. Sánchez Kinghorn.
 
On April 18th, the Hostos Center for Arts and Culture enter was swinging and swaying, thanks to the first-ever, multi-day retrospective of the life and work of the legendary Tito Puente, “the King of Latin Music.” Concerts, workshops, dance recitals, panels and film screenings examined Puente’s career and his lasting influence on the musical scene.

Puente (1923-2000) was a longtime friend and supporter of Hostos. He performed here many times, and his archive of photos, posters, recordings and musical instruments are housed at the college. In addition, for the past five years Hostos has offered a continuing education course focused on the Latin Jazz master which has featured many former Puente band members and musical associates as guest speakers.

This historic event was covered by Billboard and The New York Times, which wrote:  “This kind of celebration is rarely given to the city’s Latin music tradition, though it runs nearly as deep in the New York soil as jazz…If [Puente’s] influence abides, it will be thanks to initiatives like the one at Hostos, giving children and aficionados the opportunity to learn the basics, commune with elders and experience his music as a catalyst for something else.”

We were able to get an exclusive behind the scenes rehearsal with Puente’s longtime friend and Mambo Legends musical collaborator José Madera, click here to see more.

About Hostos Community College
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change that has been transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities for nearly half a century. Since 1968, Hostos has been a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, as well as a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs.

Hostos offers 27 associate degree programs and two certificate programs that facilitate easy transfer to The City University of New York’s (CUNY) four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. The College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos is part of CUNY, the nation’s leading urban public university, which serves more than 500,000 students at 24 colleges.