Mambo Diablo

Mambo Diablo (My Journey with Tito Puente). Edited by David A. Perez. Book. Hardcover. 512 pages. Published by Backbeat Books.

Countless stories have been written about Tito Puentes percussive musical abilities, but never before have his talent and intuition, as well as the mishaps and controversies surrounding him, been presented with such vivacity and love, chronicling the popular and combative King of Latin rhythm who climbed from El Barrio to international fame and recognition, influencing multiple generations of jazzers and Latin rockers from Dizzy Gillespie to Santana.

Tito Puente was more than a flamboyant percussionist; he was a multi-instrumentalist and gifted composer. Despite the importance and popularity of Tito's music, his contributions are too often ignored – witness Ken Burns' television documentary about jazz which he virtually ignores Afro-Cuban jazz – this book reclaims Tito's rightful place in the history of music.

Author Joe Conzo was Tito's confidant and chronicler for nearly 40 years – no one was closer to Tito or knew him better. Joe tells the story of Tito's intensity for perfection, and describes Tito's musical brilliance in a manner that is as exciting a rapid-fire explosion on the timbales as it is deeply personal.

Mambo Diablo is like no book before it, a must-read for all music fans and for anyone who loves New York. Famed author and journalist Pete Hamill sets the stage for the journey, with a loving preface.