MILWAUKEE — For performers and fans alike, Summerfest is a place where dreams come true.
Friday night at the Briggs and Stratton stage, 17-year-old Miguel Diaz lived out his dream as he performed next to one of his favorite artists, Tito Puente Jr.
“We’re here. It’s a dream. This isn’t something you see everyday, so I’m happy to be here,” Diaz beamed.
Puente Jr. is a famous latin musician and percussionist, taking after his father Tito Puente Sr.
“My father always wanted his legacy to inspire the youth of today to encourage kids to pick up the percussion instrument,” Puente Jr. said.
While the performance was the first time Diaz and Puente Jr. met in person, their relationship started months earlier over a screen.
In March, Puente Jr. did a surprise Zoom call with Diaz’s class at Janus College Preparatory & Arts Academics (JCPAA). It is a local school providing an arts education to kids in the inner city who don’t have access.
A lifelong fan of both Puente Jr. and his father, the call brought Diaz to tears.
“I was sitting there and out of nowhere it was Tito Puente. I was like there’s no way this is happening right now. I couldn’t talk for like two minutes. I was just looking at him talking,” Diaz said.
Afterward, Puente Jr. invited Diaz to play with his band at Summerfest.
“Miguel is something special to me because he plays percussion. Percussion was my father’s instrument, and I hope that we can inspire him tonight, along with the great musicians in the audience,” Puente Jr. smiled.
Miguel has played percussion since he had his first drum set at just 3-years-old. In preparation for Summerfest, Miguel practiced daily. Finally on Friday night, he took center stage next to Puente Jr. as they performed “Oye Como Va”.
For both Puente Jr. and Diaz, the Afrocuban music is representative of their culture.
“I was born with it. That’s why I love it so much. It has so much to do with my culture and where I’m coming from,” Diaz explained.
Diaz added it’s a night he won’t forget.
Watch TMJ4's Kaylee Staral's story in the video at the top of this article.
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
