The Sacramento Jazz Orchestra paid tribute to Latin jazz icon Tito Puente on Thursday evening by filling the Capistrano Music Recital Hall with his music.

“His contribution to the music world was great,” said Director of Jazz Studies Steve Roach, a trumpet player. “He recorded over 100 albums and surrounded himself with some great musicians. It is just happy music, fun to listen to and even (more fun) to play.”

The Sacramento State Jazz Ensemble warmed up the crowd for the orchestra with Paul Lopez’s “Uno Mas” and Puente’s “ESY.”

Though the ensemble was very good and errors seemed minimal, the crowd received a more mature sound from the evening’s main attraction.

Orchestra trombonist Cory Cunningham said many of these songs are not solo-driven. He ensured the crowd this would not be the case with Puente’s “Fiesta a la King,” which featured seven different solos – one after another.

Puente was known for his flamboyant stage presence and constant touring. Though he was famous for playing timbales, he was also know for being a trained musician and played piano, congas, bongos and saxophone.

The orchestra featured Harold Muniz on timbales for the performance. Muniz has been a student of Afro-Cuban music for more than 35 years and has won the SAMMIES critic’s choice award for drummer and percussionist.

Muniz said he had the great honor of seeing Puente three times before he died.

“I was impressed,” Muniz said. “I was sitting in on a show and a little boy had gotten on stage to play the timbales. Afterward Tito gave the timbales to the boy. That boy is now playing for Carlos Santana.”

The Orchestra also features Sac State faculty members Mike McMullen, Phil Tulga, Joe Mazzaferro, Rick Lotter, Steve Homan and Joe Gilman.

 Benjamin Dewey can be reached at [email protected].