Real name: Ernesto Antonio Puente Jr.

Effective period / Period of releases: 1953 - 2012

Tito Puente (born April 20, 1923, Spanish Harlem, New York City, New York, USA – Died May 31, 2000, New York City, New York, USA) was an American Latin bandleader, jazz, salsa and mambo musician of Puerto Rican heritage. Known as "El Rey Del Timbal" ("The King Of The Timbales"). He also played vibraphone, drum kit, conga drums, claves, piano, and occasionally saxophone and clarinet.

Not to be confused with Cuban trumpeter Tito Puentes.