Tito Puente and his Latin Jazz Allstars treated the audience at Eisenhower Auditorium Wednesday night to a program that featured more than just Latin music.

Puente's ability to correlate Latin style rhythms with jazz improvisation resulted in fresh and interesting arrangements.

Wearing a gray suit and red necktie, the 67-year-old percussionist seemed at home behind his timbales set. He was spirited and agile as he danced in place, winking and shouting to the audience.

The "King of Salsa" played with authority, showing his intensity through facial expressions. Although he acted as the group's leader, he never dominated the ensemble.

Puente gave his seven band members freedom throughout the performance, acknowledging them after improvisation solos. Most notable was Puente's trumpet player, who interpreted the music with clean standard jazz solos in songs such as "Killer Joe."

All the musicians performed well, but the horn section seemed a little loose at times. Also, from my vantage point close to the stage, the band often sounded bottom heavy, with the bass and percussion overpowering the piano and horns. Overall, these were minor flaws, and members of the audience, some waving Puerto Rican flags, did not seem to notice.

Puente got the audience involved, having them clap along to a Latin style cover of The Drifters' classic "On Broadway." The biggest reception was for Puente's hit "Oye Como Va," in which he urged the crowd to sing with him in Spanish.

When the song was over, Puente asked the audience, "Did you feel it?" After a less than enthusiastic response, he shouted, "They felt it better in Japan." When he asked his question again, the crowd erupted, and the band ran through a few more bars of "Oye Como Va."

Puente spent most of the evening at the timbales, but the show was highlighted by his solo on the vibraphone, an instrument similar to a xylophone. He moved his mallets across the instrument in a fury while simultaneously operating a foot pedal.

Following an unusually short set, Puente was called back to the stage for an encore. He closed the concert with a performance of "Salsa," which came to a finish with a hot timbales solo by Puente.

After the band had packed away their instruments and left the stage, the audience remained, clapping and demanding another encore. When Puente did not return, the crowd left disappointed.