Tito came to Pittsburgh as part of the MCG Jazz season. The venue is fairly new and it's a really adorable place to listen to music. He played on April 13-16. I attended the Saturday night. The sold-out event started at 09:30 PM.
The show began with introductions by Tony Mowod, who hosts a Jazz radio show on DUQ 90.5 FM. Tito's Latin Jazz Ensemble took their places and the King strolled in to a cheering crowd.
Puente was spectacular at the timbales, as always, despite his 77 years of age. The performance was not only beautifully orchestrated, with nice solos from Puente and others in the band, and excellent showmanship by Tito, teasing the crowd.
The band accompanying Tito was excellent, counting with musicians remembered fondly from the golden era of Salsa: Reynaldo Jorge and Lewis Kahn, two of the top trombonists in Salsa of the 70's and today with credits that include recordings and performances with Willie Colón, Ruben Blades, Larry Harlow as well as the Fania All Stars. Lewis Kahn even played violin on the encore number at the end, adding to the tremendous energy that left the audience bopping long after the show was over. Sony Bravo (piano) and Johnny Rodriguez (bongos) brought memories of their Típica '73 work in the late 70's. Mario Rivera gave us all a superb performance on sax, but specially with his flute, which was really outstanding. Mitch Frohman, was featured in a Jazz number that had us hypnotized to the smooth chords he played.
Two-thirds into the show, Tito introduced young Frankie Morales, who sang 2 songs in Spanish, which were well received by the crowd.
After the show, I had the opportunity to meet Tito, Reynaldo Jorge and Lewis Kahn. Tito was a gentleman and very much pleased of the wonderfully warm reception that the Pittsburgh crowd gave him. Lewis expressed that he had been personally worried that they would not be as appreciated in Pittsburgh as they are normally in New York, Chicago, LA or San Juan, but he was pleasantly surprised by the excitement and pleasure that the mixed crowd displayed. By the final number, numerous fans were openly dancing on the sides of the auditorium to the delight of Tito and the boys.
I was very pleased to see, that despite Pittsburgh not being a stereotypical audience for a Latino act, Tito Puente gave the audience a Tito Puente show, not watered down, but strong Salsa and Latin Jazz as it comes! And he was rewarded by a great reception by the crowd.
Pittsburgh will be eagerly waiting for next show Tito Puente show!
¡Que viva la música!
If you want to see the rest of the pictures taken that night, check the Photo Album