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Latin Jazz Music CDs: Afro Cuban, Brazilian And Discount Latin Jazz Music

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Published: September 14, 2007

They're two rooms in the same house, the legendary musical artist Dizzy Gillespie said of the dynamic combination of Afro Cuban musical beats and smooth jazz rhythms called Latin jazz.

Latin jazz as its own musical genre is unique. Its sound is infused by the richly diverse cultures of Afro Cuban, New Orleans blues and Brazilian based sounds. Latin jazz reached its height of popularity during the 1940s and 1950s when well-known artists like Tito Puente, Mongro Santamaria, Mario Bauza and even Dizzy Gillespie introduced this new genre of music to the masses during the era of big bands. It was Gillespie's innovative ear for music that led to the integration of Latin music into the jazz arena.

Latin jazz's history is filled with a vibrant mixture of many cultures. Latin jazz's birth began in the heart of Cuba, Brazil, Africa and other European countries; it eventually found a home in the United States.
Experimentation in New York City's dance halls by Mario Bauza, the grandfather of Afro Cuban jazz, combined the rhythmic sounds of Afro Cuban music and modern jazz movements. Although they are housed under the same umbrella, Latin jazz and Afro Cuban jazz are not synonymous words. Afro Cuban, like Latin jazz, has its own sound. It is clave based—a rhythm of five notes in a pattern of spacing—with non-vocal music. Afro Cuban jazz and Latin jazz are closely aligned in style; however, Afro Cuban jazz emphasizes traditional Cuban rhythms, while Latin jazz expands to include all types of music from the Caribbean and Latin America in its composition.

In the 1960s, Latin jazz saw a renewal with the introduction of Brazilian based jazz. Afro Brazilian Samba and Bossa Nova jazz entered the musical scene through artist such as famous jazz musician Charlie Byrd. Brazilian jazz is also a traditional sound based on a native Brazilian rhythm associated with the Brazilian Carnival celebration. Latin jazz continues to be a formidable musical genre through fresh infusions from up and coming artists. The music thrives because of inventive musicians who respect the history of Latin jazz.

Latin jazz embraces a Latino style of performance and a perfect blending of blues improvisation. Great Latin jazz musicians understand the clave is central to the composition of Latin jazz. Performers like Tito Puente respected the congruous marriage between jazz and Latin. Puente became a superstar in the Latin jazz musical field. He received the moniker 'King of Latin Jazz' and wore the crown until his death in 2000. Puente's contribution to Latin jazz music can still be heard on his countless CDs. He recorded over 100 CDs during his over 50 years in Latin jazz.

Discount CDs of Tito Puente can be found at Gemm.com. They have an extensive collection of out of date compact discs, and vinyl records. Gemm also has current DVDs of Puente's shows stopping performances at discount prices. Puente's classic live albums are a rare find and definitely a steal at the discount prices offered by Gemm.

Much like Puente's music, Latin jazz continues to hold a formidable place in music. The beautiful combination of quiet, soothing notes on a brass instrument and strong pounding beats on a conga drum propelled Latin Jazz farther than smoky dance halls in the 50s, beyond the mambo craze of the 60s, and into the millennium. It is charismatic and complicated, just the way that enduring music should be.


Sources:
"Jazz at the Lincoln Center." Lincoln Center. 2006. 12 Sept. 2007. http://www.jalc.org/TheRoad_noFL/pdf/Latin_Guide_E nglish.pdf

Mitter, Siddhartha. "Harvard Celebrates the Rich Tradition of Latin Jazz." Boston Globe. 9 Dec. 2006. 12 Sept. 2007. http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2 006/12/09/harvard_celebrates_the_rich_tradition_of />
Moreno, Luis. "A Brief History of Latin Jazz." Brosociety. 2001. 12 Sept. 2007. http://www.brosociety.org/docs/history_of_latin_ja zz.htm.

"Tito Puente." Gemm. 1995-2007. 12 Sept 2007. http://gemm.com/q.cgi?rb=SPACEAGEPOP&wild=Tito +Puente.
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