WASHINGTON (By Erica McClanahan Stone/ USO) - Latin musician, songwriter and producer Tito Puente, Jr. will embark on his second USO tour to provide a morale boost to troops stationed in Korea and Japan Sept. 1-12. Puente, who has several Billboard dance hits, will perform free shows, sign autographs and pose for pictures with the troops.
Born into a musical dynasty, Puente's father, the legendary "El Rey," was known throughout the world for his unique musical sound and dazzling showmanship. The younger Puente studied under the tutelage of his father, and played numerous clubs and concerts around the world, honing his craft and perfecting his style.
Puente's debut album "Guarachando" featured the hit single "Oye Como Va," a cover of his father's signature standard, which reached No 7 on Billboard's Dance Chart and earned the Latin Music Award for "Best Salsa Video of the Year." His second album contained a tribute to his father, "Caliente," which was arranged by "El Rey." Puente's most recent project, "En Los Zapatos De MiPadre" (In My Father's Shoes), was released last year to both critical and commercial success.
In April 2003, Puente traveled to Puerto Rico on his first USO tour to entertain service members with his mix of pop, Latin jazz and dance music. While there, he visited Roosevelt Roads, Fort Buchanan and Camp Santiago, bringing his infectious sound to troops stationed far from home.
Currently, Puente is touring the world with two other sons of legends in the Latin jazz world, Mario Grillo ("Machito") and Tito Rodriguez. Together, they are co-leaders of "The Big Three Palladium Orchestra," a rebirth of the music made famous by their fathers.
For more than 64 years, the USO (United Service Organizations) has been providing morale and recreation-type services to U.S. military personnel and their families. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services. The USO is supported by World Partners Anheuser-Busch, Avon Products, Inc., AT&T Corporation, BAE SYSTEMS, Bass Pro Shops, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Computer Systems Center, Inc., Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Military Channel, National Football League, Northwest Airlines, Inc., S & K Sales Company and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Other organizations, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-0600), have joined thousands of individual donors to support the USO. For more information on the USO, please visit our Web site at https://www.uso.org
