Oye, Legacy! Tito Puente Jr. on Family, Clave, and Culture

In this episode, I sit down with bandleader and percussionist Tito Puente Jr. for a heartfelt, high-energy conversation about carrying the torch of his father, the Mambo King, while forging his own path. From growing up in Spanish Harlem and falling for rock and metal, to learning clave on the road, honoring family, and choosing a more balanced life than the 300‑shows‑a‑year grind, Tito shares candid stories, lessons, and the joy of seeing new generations dance to timeless Afro‑Cuban rhythms. We talk about the Palladium show in Times Square, the power of community in El Barrio, pivotal influences from Celia Cruz to Iron Maiden, and why education and humility are central to his mission. Tito opens up about family, discipline, legacy, and his dream of a “metal mambo” project—plus the backstory of Oye Como Va and how one song can change everything. It’s a lively, deeply human look at rhythm, roots, and keeping culture alive.Tito Puente Jr.: @TitoPuenteJr Tito Puente (The Mambo King): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tito_PuentePalladium Times Square (venue): https://www.palladiumtimessquare.comPalladium Ballroom (historic New York venue): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palladium_BallroomSpanish Harlem (El Barrio): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_HarlemThe Bronx: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_BronxThe Juilliard School: https://www.juilliard.eduNew York Yankees: https://www.mlb.com/yankeesIron Maiden: https://www.ironmaiden.comMötley Crüe: https://www.motley.comDef Leppard: https://www.defleppard.comSlayer: https://www.slayer.netCarlos Santana: https://www.santana.comOye Como Va (song): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oye_Como_VaCelia Cruz: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celia_CruzWillie Colón: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Col%C3%B3nFania All-Stars: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fania_All-StarsDizzy Gillespie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dizzy_GillespieMaynard Ferguson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maynard_FergusonLionel Hampton: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_HamptonBuddy Morrow: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_MorrowSam Ulano (drummer/teacher): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_UlanoFive Towns College: https://www.ftc.eduConcord (label/group): https://concord.comNational Museum of American History (Smithsonian): https://americanhistory.si.eduMenudo (band): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menudo_(band)Eddie Torres (The Mambo King of Dance): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_TorresOn Broadway (song): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_BroadwayThe Mambo Kings (film): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mambo_KingsThe Simpsons (TV series): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_SimpsonsSesame Street (TV series): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sesame_Street