Tito Puente Latin Music Series Returns with Free Outdoor Concerts, Dancing

Taking place on Thursdays in July and August at outdoor locations across Boston, the six-concert Tito Puente Latin Music Series presents a soundscape of salsa, bolero, danzón, Afro-Latin, Caribbean, jazz, funk, R&B, and more. Performers include Berklee faculty, students, alumni, and world-renowned artists from Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Venezuela. Audiences should bring their dancing shoes; the MetaMovements Latin Dance Company will provide free salsa lessons for one hour before each performance.

The series kicks off on July 11 at Mozart Park in Jamaica Plain, then moves to O’Day Park in the South End on July 18, Mission Hill Playground on August 8, and the East Boston Greenway on August 15.

All concerts are at 7:00 p.m. All locations are wheelchair accessible. The O’Day Park concerts will move inside to Villa Victoria Center for the Arts in the event of inclement weather. All others will be canceled with no rain dates. For more information on this series and other Berklee Summer in the City events, presented by Natixis Global Asset Management, visit berklee.edu/events/summer.

The Tito Puente Latin Music Series is presented by Berklee College of Music; IBA–Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción; and the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department.

July 11 at Mozart Park in Jamaica Plain–Jeremy De Jesus

Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Berklee alumnus Jeremy De Jesus ‘13 has been recording, performing, composing, and arranging in many different styles, including jazz, Afro-Caribbean, salsa, neo-soul, R&B, hip-hop, and fusion. Many of these styles are displayed on his debut album, Semi Formal, which features his original compositions.

July 18 at O’Day Park in South End–María Mulata

A native of Colombia, vocalist María Mulata blends the rich cultural influences of great cantaoras (flamenco singers) like Toto la Momposina, Etelvina Maldonado, and Petrona Martínez, among others. Known for her memorable, high-energy performances, Mulata incorporates new sounds into her folkloric repertoire.

July 25 at O’Day Park in South End–Leo Blanco

Venezuelan pianist, arranger, and composer Leo Blanco combines influences from Venezuelan folklore–a blend of African and European musical traditions–as well as jazz, classical music, and pop.

August 1 at O’Day Park in South End–Jimmy Bosch

Salsa and jazz trombonist Jimmy Bosch–aka “El Trombon Criollo”–is known to be a powerful force on stage as well as a composer and producer. Audiences across the world know to expect something different from the norm during Bosch’s expressive performances. 

August 8 at the Mission Hill Playground–Jesus Pagan

A true sonero, vocalist Jesus Pagan was born in New York City and raised in Quebradillas, Puerto Rico, where traditional troubadours and talented soneros on the island influenced him. His album, Salsa de la Mata, was awarded a Paoli Award for Best Tropical Salsa Singer, and his latest release, Un Regalo Especial, is rapidly gaining popularity among salsa fans.

August 15 on the East Boston Greenway–Latin Heartbeat Orchestra

Founded by William Mendoza, the Latin Heartbeat Orchestra is a 13-piece group of musicians, including Berklee College of Music alumnus trumpeter Brian Wallace, that performs exciting renditions of salsa classics as well as energy-infused original compositions.

About Berklee’s Office of Community Affairs and Campus Engagement:

Berklee's Office of Community Affairs and Campus Engagement (CACE) cultivates and manages institutional relationships, partnerships, and programs that advance the college, mobilize musicians as leaders, and contribute to the cultural, educational, and artistic development of the Boston area and our society.

About IBA–Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción:

IBA–Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción is a dynamic community building agency dedicated to increasing the social and economic power of individuals and families through education, economic development, technology, and arts programming that build safe, vibrant, and culturally diverse affordable housing communities.

About the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department:

Since 1997, Mayor Thomas M. Menino's multi-faceted ParkARTS program has offered a wide variety of cultural offerings in Boston's parks including performing, participatory, and visual arts. By presenting programs in each of these three areas, ParkARTS ensures a broad variety of programming which appeals to many constituencies reaching all of Boston's neighborhoods.

Liz Lupton is a publicist in the Office of Meida Relations. Media inquiries: llupton@berklee.edu.