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.
Ran Kan Kan
Tito Puente & His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pero suenan, suenan los timbales
Ran kan kan kan, kan kan
Tito, Tito suename los timbales
Ran kan kan kan, kan kan
Goza, goza, goza con los timbales
Ran kan kan kan, kan kan
Ran kan kan kan, kan kan
Ah como, como suenan los timbales
Ran kan kan kan, kan kan
Tito ponme a gozar con los timbales
Ran kan kan kan, kan kan
Ay como suenan, suenan oye negrón los timbales
Ran kan kan kan, kan kan
Tito Puente ponme a gozar sabrosón con tus timbales
The lyrics to Tito Puente and His Orchestra's song Ran Kan Kan are an invitation to enjoy the music and dance to the infectious rhythm of the timbales. The repeated phrase "ran kan kan kan, kan kan" serves as a call to attention and excitement, urging the listener to pay attention to the vibrant sounds produced by Tito Puente and his musicians. The lyrics also express admiration and encouragement to Tito Puente, who is asked to "suenar" or "play" the timbales with even more fervor and energy.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of joy and celebration, as the lyrics encourage the listener to "gozar" or "enjoy" the music and dance along with it. The lyrics also highlight the importance of the timbales in creating the distinct sound of the song, emphasizing how they "suenan" or "sound" and how they are essential to the overall experience of the music. The reference to Tito Puente as a "negrón" adds an element of racial pride and empowerment, celebrating the Afro-Latino heritage that is essential to the creation of salsa and Latin jazz music.
Line by Line Meaning
Ran kan kan kan, kan kan
The drums are beating in a pulsating rhythm
Pero suenan, suenan los timbales
But the timbales are the ones that really resonate and create the mood
Tito, Tito suename los timbales
Tito, Tito make the timbales sing and come alive
Goza, goza, goza con los timbales
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy the lively beat of the timbales
Ah como, como suenan los timbales
Oh how the timbales sound so amazing
Tito ponme a gozar con los timbales
Tito make me feel the joy and pleasure of the timbales
Ay como suenan, suenan oye negrón los timbales
Wow how the timbales sound, listen to it my black friend
Tito Puente ponme a gozar sabrosón con tus timbales
Tito Puente, make me enjoy and savor your timbales' rhythm, tasty and delicious
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: TITO PUENTE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Matt-ns9rj
Played this song in my high school jazz band. I loved the piano part for this. Totally opened my world up to mambo and Latin music.
@johnerlich697
🙂 I also played (guitar) in my HS jazz band. Where I grew up, there was a weak modern jazz scene, and no Latin jazz scene at all. We played one "Latin jazz" tune (sort of...Phil Woods' "Flatjacks Willie") in HS jazz band. I somehow managed to get hold of a couple of Latin jazz albums (Tito Puente & Jerry Gonzalez/Ft. Apache) and these were my "gateway drug" to Latin & Afro-Cuban music. I went to college in NYC, and was suddenly surrounded by Salsa, etc. Definitely a whole new world for me, too! I even got to meet Tito Puente and shake his hand in 1984.
@rodrimambo9058
No se como puede existir canción tan perfecta ❤
@loretomunozsalazar2292
El Maestro Tito Puente el mejor percusionista del mundo la hace una obra maestra han intentado tocarla muchos timbaleros y no suena igual
@abelsilvamontes9822
es verdadera musica, no las porquerias de ahora
@UmCara_Qualquer
Groot me trajo aquí. ¡Viva la Salsa! 😎
@btlmediospublicidad1336
la escencia de un ser humano de raza latina va dentro de esta melodia... Es lo mas completo sin hablar que nos describe como hermanos y amantes de esta obra de arte llamada RAN KAN KAN , saludos desde Guatemala
@elpapito29
ESTA VERSION ES LA MEJOR, Y A BAILAR Y A GOZAR COMO DICE LA LETRA, TITO ERAS DE OTRO MUNDO EN LOS TIMBALES, COMO TU NO HAY OTRO
@user-ps3fj7uv6j
❤❤
❤❤😂
@elaineromero5493
EL que la da dislike es porque no sabe nada de musica...a mi mis Padres me ponian a dormir con esta cancion...no me dormia si no la tocaban...esto es un master piece ..una obra maestra