When the New Jersey Hall of Fame released its list of nominees for 2025, one name stood out.
All of the talents nominated in the “performing arts and entertainment” category had well-known connections to New Jersey, whether they were born here, spend some of their childhood here, or lived and worked here as adults.
But the hall had also nominated Tito Puente, the Grammy-winning Latin music great, aka King of the Timbales, who is chiefly associated with New York…