Latin Jazz

Overview

In this section, we'll consider a number of artists who distinguished themselves in the late 80s, the 90s, and early 2000s. We will note the important contributions of several American and Cuban artists to Latin jazz, and follow the "mainstreaming" of Latin jazz over the last quarter-century. We will also hear from a number of international jazz artists who incorporate indigenous folk music from around the world into their music, and have thus made a significant contribution to the globalization of jazz.

Objectives

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to do the following:

Recognize some of the key American and Cuban jazz artists and their contributions to Latin jazz
Recognize some of the international figures in jazz who contribute to the globalization of jazz
Recognize some of the recent jazz artists, both mainstream and progressive, whose art continues to fuel the debate about the future of jazz—and what jazz is

From its earliest influence on the music of Jelly Roll Morton and Duke Ellington, through Dizzy Gillespie's Afro-Cuban and Stan Getz's bossa nova settings, the danceable rhythms of Latin jazzA catch-all term for jazz with Latin American, but also African, rhythms. have proven to be exciting, high-energy, and ever popular. Because of the diversity of the basic Latin elements in these approaches, they cannot be tied neatly into one stream. The term Latin jazzA catch-all term for jazz with Latin American, but also African, rhythms., then, generally refers to these various influences as they are found in the performances of more mainstream jazz artists.

For a variety of reasons — notably, geographical proximity and the strong African connection — Afro-Cuban jazzOne of the two main subcategories of Latin jazz, with music based on clave rhythms. has the deepest historical ties to Latin jazz in America. We have observed, too, the Brazilian influence on American jazz, notably drawn from the samba and bossa nova (this is sometimes referred to as Afro-Brazilian jazz).

The main characteristic that Latin music brings to jazz is rhythmic energy. This is due largely to the clave rhythmA rhythmic pattern to organize time in Afro-Cuban music. found in Latin-based music. The clave rhythm, of Afro-Cuban origin, creates a syncopated two-measure pattern that has become a requirement of much Latin music. Specifically, It imbues Afro-Cuban jazz with its characteristic feel, just as the swing eighth noteAn eighth note with a duration that is greater or smaller than half the duration of a quarter note. does for swing music, since Latin jazz utilizes straight eighth notes. Here's a basic clave rhythm.

3 2 Clave

2 3 Clave

"If there is no dance, there is not music."

-Tito Puente

"To rise above the crowd, you must discipline yourself unceasingly to the strict demand and realities of your ambition."

-Arturo Sandoval

in 1985, Branford Marsalis was invited to join Sting on his first solo project.

Chicago Tribune