Puente, Tito

After the war Puente enrolled at the Juilliard School of Music in New York, where he studied conducting, orchestration, theory, and composition. While studying there he continued to play with various bands, and began contracting work on his own. Eventually his band landed a steady gig at the Alma Dance Studios. In 1949 promoter Max Hyman bought the Alma and changed the name to the Palladium; soon it was filled with dancers from all walks of life. It was the start...