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What
is Latin Jazz?
(the short
answer)
by Bobby Ramirez
"Latin Jazz
is a classic American artform..." John
Santos
Latin Jazz is a fusion
of African and/or indigenous rhythms from the entire Latin American
Diaspora with the language of Jazz.
First known as
Cubop, then Afro-Cuban Jazz, it was created in New York City,
emerging as part of a massive socio-cultural revolution in the
1930's & 40's transcending racial lines between black, white
and Latino musicians, explored in its infancy by visionary musicians
like Alberto Socarras, Ernesto Lecuona, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie
Parker, Mario Bauza, Machito & his Afro-Cubans, Juan Tizol,
Noro Morales, Tito Puente, Chano Pozo, Stan Kenton, Chico O'Farrill
and many others.
It is important
to note that until recently, the main essential rhythmic ingredients
that have propelled Latin Jazz as it has come to be known through
countless recordings in the United States have been derived from
Cuba in the form of the rumba, cha cha cha, songo, bolero, guaracha,
son montuno (otherwise popularized by generic umbrella marketing
terms such as mambo and salsa)--including major rhythmic contributions
from Brazil (samba, bosa nova).
There are various
characteristics that can define Latin Jazz ranging from the avant
garde (Emiliano Salvador, Hermeto Pascual, etc.) to more popular
forms (Poncho Sanchez, Tito Puente, etc.). Note: popular forms"
in Latin Jazz may suggest a music which is specifically engineered
to appeal to a wider popular Latin dance audience; yet, retaining
some characteristics mentioned in the following sentence. In
comparison to your average popular tune which contains a simple
melody, simple chord progression and almost no improvisation,
Latin Jazz is mainly instrumental hybrid music defined by more
progressive Jazz harmonies used in and around its corresponding
rhythmic structural arrangement, combined with an exuberant amount
of improvisation, and fused with African based rhythms that continue
to develop from the entire Latin American Diaspora.
To further clarify
the inherent characteristics of Latin Jazz, lets also examine
what is NOT Latin Jazz; or better said: some common characteristics
that misrepresent the style of Latin Jazz.
Brazilian "popular
music" containing samba and/or bossa nova rhythm, as well
as what is considered "Cuban popular music" otherwise
known as "salsa" or tropical dance music are often
erroneously mistaken for "Latin Jazz."
This misrepresentation
of the style of Latin Jazz is helping to further promote confusion
among the real diehard fans of this music, as well as hurting
artists who have committed years perfecting his or her craft
of incorporating Latin rhythms with the language of Jazz improvisation.
To recap on the
characteristics of Latin Jazz:
1) mainly instrumental
hybrid music
2) contains progressive Jazz harmonies used in and around its
corresponding rhythmic structural arrangement
3) contains African based rhythms that continue to develop from
the entire Latin American Diaspora
4) allows for the execution of much improvisation using the Jazz
vocabulary within the framework and construct of each arrangement
The term Latin
Jazz is not to be considered a category, unless it is specifically
used as part of a format like a row of general music categories
in connection with an awards ceremony like the Grammy Music Awards,
etc.
The term "Latin
Jazz" should not be used at a record music store as a separate
section. Musicians who only perform in the style of Latin Jazz
should just be included as part of the "Jazz" music
section.
When speaking
about Latin Jazz as part of a literary book or an educational
music course, Latin Jazz must always be represented as an indelible
part of the history and evolution of "Jazz" in the
United States of America. The style of Latin Jazz should not
be marginalized or made into a separate section of a book or
movie. The evolution of Latin Jazz should simply evolve as part
of the story about Jazz history. It is essential to include Latin
Jazz in any historical literary work about "Jazz",
or a general school music curriculum. "Latin Jazz is a classic
American artform..." John Santos.
Musically speaking,
Latin Jazz is a very specific STYLE of music with its own nuances
and anomalies that revolve around "Latin" rhythm and
the musical lauguage of Jazz. It is simply not enough for any
musician to surround his or herself with a Latin rhythm section
and think they're performing "Latin Jazz." Just as
how Jazz has to swing with the emphasis on the 2 and 4 beat,
Latin Jazz swings when a musician understands the Latin rhythmic
structure that is part of a particular tune. If the Latin rhythm
is Afro-Cuban or Brazilian based, how a musician performs in
and around the clave is essential to the authenticity of the
style of Latin Jazz.
Other forms of
Latin rhythms may or may not contain clave. Still, the musical
interpretation that is applied in connection with that specific
Latin rhythm is an important factor in performing authentic Latin
Jazz. From an educational viewpoint, since Latin Jazz borrows
harmonic elements, form and structure from Jazz, as well as rhythmic
elements from popular Latin music, in order to deliver a truly
authentic performance style of Latin Jazz, it is required that
a musician spend much time learning the harmonic concept, style
and structure of Jazz improvisation in its traditional form,
as well as in-depth study of traditional Latin popular rhythmic
forms, structure and styles. Thus, gaining a full grasps on the
mechanics and pulse of a particular popular Latin rhythm (salsa,
pop Brazilian music, merengue, cha cha, danzon, cumbia, canbombe,
joropo, etc). Then (only then), attempt to connect Jazz elements
with Latin rhythm.
Also very important:
a musician that performs "Latin jazz" should not be
referred to as a "Latin Jazz musician." The music in
itself known as Latin Jazz is a style, a musical form of language,
a unique genre extending from "Jazz." Musicians who
perform Latin Jazz should simply be regarded as "Jazz"
musician or as a "musician" that chose to perform that
style of music. Or worst, just because a musician is from a Latin
country, it is erroneous to refer to that musician as a "Latin
Jazz musicians."
And lastly, concerning
Latin Jazz on public radio, although Latin Jazz is a unique style
extension from "Jazz", "Latin Jazz" should
not have its own radio Show. "Latin Jazz" music should
just be a part of the "Jazz" programming and not independently
produced as a separate radio segment.
Today, Latin
Jazz has evolved considerably into a more progressive amalgamation
of the language of Jazz with rhythms not only from Cuba and Brazil,
but expanding rhythmic influences from other perhaps less notable
yet equally important countries that are part of the entire Latin
American Diaspora. As Latin Jazz continues to expand, it remains
free, open and inclusive to countless yet to be discovered Latin
rhythmic possibilities that will no doubt empower creativity
from current and future generations of musicians that will ultimately
take the genre of Latin Jazz to greater heights.
Afro-Cuban RitmoClave Workshop
PART 1 Download
MP3 Now (4.2MB)
PART 2 Download MP3 Now
(3.9MB)
RitmoClave
Lecture Workshop Audio CD
