From various sources and as one can see from video, Puente was an electric performer who always stood up on the timbales. He was an accomplished dancer as well.
Tito Puente is probably the most beloved figure of the music that is now mostly called Latin jazz. When asked if he played salsa, he replied, " I don't play sauce.(the Spanish meaning of the word) I play jazz." Today's most popular artist in Latin jazz, Poncho Sanchez, named his son Tito after Tito Puente.
Many of his records are great, such as "In Session". The quality on record is not as consistent as he apparently was in concert, though. Some recordings are mediocre in quality. The list of people who played with him would fill a who's who of both Jazz and Latin music. His last release was a duo with Eddie Palmieri, the appropriately named " Obra Maestra". If anyone is to name the King of the mambo or the King of Latin Jazz, the most popular answer will be Tito Puente.
Pa' Los Rumberos
Tito Puente & His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Vamos Santana que la rumba ya va empezar
Vamos congero que la rumba ya va empezar
Vamos Caríbello que la rumba ya va empezar
Vamos congero que la rumba ya va empezar
Vamos Caríbello que la rumba ya va empezar
Vamos Chepito que la rumba ya va empezar
Vamos Timbero que la rumba ya va empezar
Vamos Chepito que la rumba ya va empezar
Vamos rumbero que la rumba ya va empezar
Vamos Santana que la rumba ya va empezar
Vamos Santana que la rumba ya va empezar
Vamos Santana que la rumba ya va empezar
The lyrics of Tito Puente's song "Para Los Rumberos" call out to multiple percussionists, urging them to come together and play the rhythms of rumba. The song is an invitation to dance, with the repetitive verses using the names of each percussionist to build up the excitement until the rumba starts. The urgency and repetition of "la rumba ya va empezar" meaning "the rumba is about to start," creates a sense of anticipation, and the use of each musician's name adds an inclusive feel to the song.
Overall, "Para Los Rumberos" expresses the joy and passion of Latin music, and the importance of coming together to create an experience that is both communal and euphoric. It captures the essence of what makes Latin rhythms so infectious, such as the complex interplay between different percussion instruments, and the way that each musician contributes to the overall sound.
Line by Line Meaning
Vamos rumbero que la rumba ya va empezar
Let's go rumbero because the party is about to start
Vamos Santana que la rumba ya va empezar
Let's go Santana because the party is about to start
Vamos congero que la rumba ya va empezar
Let's go congero because the party is about to start
Vamos Caríbello que la rumba ya va empezar
Let's go Caríbello because the party is about to start
Vamos congero que la rumba ya va empezar
Let's go congero because the party is about to start
Vamos Caríbello que la rumba ya va empezar
Let's go Caríbello because the party is about to start
Vamos Timbero que la rumba ya va empezar
Let's go Timbero because the party is about to start
Vamos Chepito que la rumba ya va empezar
Let's go Chepito because the party is about to start
Vamos Timbero que la rumba ya va empezar
Let's go Timbero because the party is about to start
Vamos Chepito que la rumba ya va empezar
Let's go Chepito because the party is about to start
Vamos rumbero que la rumba ya va empezar
Let's go rumbero because the party is about to start
Vamos Santana que la rumba ya va empezar
Let's go Santana because the party is about to start
Vamos Santana que la rumba ya va empezar
Let's go Santana because the party is about to start
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TITO PUENTE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jazz and Beyond
The King at the height of his powers as composer, arranger, and player with Mongo Santamaria on congas. Why anyone would give this a thumbs down is unbelievable.