Tito Puente, Jr. surprises HML Senior High School students with a master class in mambo

     As part of their Hispanic Heritage Month studies of the history of Latin music, students in chorus and piano teacher Shenita Hunt’s class at Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School enjoyed performances by singer Melina Almodovar and musician Tito Puente, Jr. on Oct. 25.

     Puente, Jr. is a son of the late Tito Puente, aka the “King of the Timbales,” who contributed to the development of Latin jazz and mambo. He described his father’s musical legacy to the students and performed songs using his father’s drums, including “Saca Tu Mujer,” “Mi Socio” (you can see Puente, Jr. and Almodovar perform this song on YouTube) and “Carnival,” Hunt said. 

     Shown above from left are: Magyka Falcon-Bassols; Direnia Sambrine; Melanie Rivers; Brianna Correa; Karolynn Rodriguez; singer Melina Almodovar; Jahir Bailey (behind Almodovar); Delvon Taylor; Shaun Gillard; performing artist Tito Puente, Jr.; Amy Jarquin; Jarreau Vinson; Alex Rodriguez; Kamron Gonzalez; Jose Ortiz; Aymee Molina and Ta’Ron Grissom. Photo courtesy of Shenita Hunt.