From Afro-Cuban Rhythms to Latin Jazz (Volume 10) (Music of the African Diaspora)

This book explores the complexity of Cuban dance music and the webs that connect it, musically and historically, to other Caribbean music, to salsa, and to Latin Jazz. Establishing a scholarly foundation for the study of this music, Raul A. Fernandez introduces a set of terms, definitions, and empirical information that allow for a broader, more informed discussion. He presents fascinating musical biographies of prominent performers Cachao López, Mongo Santamaría, Armando Peraza, Patato Valdés, Francisco Aguabella, Cándido Camero, Chocolate Armenteros, and Celia Cruz. Based on interviews that the author conducted over a nine-year period, these profiles provide in-depth assessments of the musicians’ substantial contributions to both Afro-Cuban music and Latin Jazz. In addition, Fernandez examines the links between Cuban music and other Caribbean musics; analyzes the musical and poetic foundations of the Cuban son form; addresses the salsa phenomenon; and develops the aesthetic construct of sabor, central to Cuban music. __Copub: Center for Black Music Research__ This book explores the complexity of Cuban dance music and the webs that connect it, musically and historically, to other Caribbean music, to salsa, and to Latin Jazz. Establishing a scholarly foundation for the study of this music, Raul A. Fernandez introduces a set of terms, definitions, and empirical information that allow for a broader, more informed discussion. He presents fascinating musical biographies of prominent performers Cachao López, Mongo Santamaría, Armando Peraza, Patato Valdés, Francisco Aguabella, Cándido Camero, Chocolate Armenteros, and Celia Cruz. Based on interviews that the author conducted over a nine-year period, these profiles provide in-depth assessments of the musicians’ substantial contributions to both Afro-Cuban music and Latin Jazz. In addition, Fernandez examines the links between Cuban music and other Caribbean musics; analyzes the musical and poetic foundations of the Cuban son form; addresses the salsa phenomenon; and develops the aesthetic construct of sabor, central to Cuban music.

Copub: Center for Black Music Research This book explores the complexity of Cuban dance music and the webs that connect it, musically and historically, to other Caribbean music, to salsa, and to Latin Jazz. Establishing a scholarly foundation for the study of this music, the author introduces a set of terms, definitions, and empirical information that allow for a broader, more informed discussion. He presents musical biographies of prominent performers Cachao López, Mongo Santamaría, Armando Peraza, Patato Valdés, Francisco Aguabella, Cándido Camero, Chocolate Armenteros, and Celia Cruz. Based on interviews that the author conducted over a nine-year period, these profiles provide in-depth assessments of the musicians' substantial contributions to both Afro-Cuban music and Latin Jazz. In addition, the book examines the links between Cuban music and other Caribbean music; analyzes the musical and poetic foundations of the Cuban son form; addresses the salsa phenomenon; and develops the aesthetic construct of sabor, central to Cuban music This book explores the complexity of Cuban dance music and the webs that connect it, musically, historically, and socially, to other Caribbean musics, to Latin jazz, and to salsa. In the first part, Raul A. Fernandez establishes a scholarly foundation for the study of this music, introducing terms, definitions, and theories that allow for a broader, more informed discussion. He analyzes the musical and poetic foundations of the Cuban son form, addresses the salsa phenomenon, and develops the aesthetic construct of sabor, a central component of Cuban music. In the second part of the book he presents fascinating musical biographies of the prominent performers Cachao Lopez, Mongo Santamaria, Armando Peraza, Patato Valdes, Francisco Aguabella, Candido Camero, Chocolate Armenteros, and Celia Cruz. Based on interviews that the author conducted over a six-year period, these profiles provide in-depth assessments of the musicians' substantial contributions to both Afro-Cuban music and Latin jazz.

"From Afro-Cuban Rhythms to Latin Jazz is an illuminating and remarkable study. This book is written with unparalleled authority and expertise, a true gem of a work."—Danilo Lozano, Flutist, Record producer, Whittier College Professor

"As curator of the Smithsonian exhibit 'Latin Jazz: La Combinación Perfecta (Perfect Combination)' and author of its accompanying book, Dr. Raul Fernandez has helped fill a void recognizing the Latino contribution to the American musical idiom of jazz. Now he further expands on that theme by exploring the lives of unsung Cuban musicians who helped shaped not only jazz but also American popular music. Dr. Fernandez is a treasure of musical scholarship that affirms that the Latino involvement in shaping and playing the popular music of the United States is more than just a footnote."—Jesse "Chuy" Varela, Contributing writer, San Francisco Chronicle, Jazz Times, and Latin Beat Magazine

CONTENTS PREFACE Part I. Popular Music One. The Salsa Concept Two. Ontology of the Son Three. The Aesthetics of Sabor Part II. On the Road to Latin Jazz Four. Magic Mixture Five. Drumming in Cuban Six. Lords of the Tambor Seven. Chocolate Dreams Eight. The Taste of ¡Azúcar! AFTERWORD NOTES INDEX Popular Music. The Salsa Concept ; Ontology Of The Son ; The Aesthetics Of Sabor -- On The Road To Latin Jazz. Magic Mixture ; Drumming In Cuban ; Lords Of The Tambor ; Chocolate Dreams ; The Taste Of Azúcar! Raul A. Fernandez. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 163-177) And Index. Explores the complexity of Cuban dance music and the webs that connect it, musically and historically, to other Caribbean music, to salsa, and to Latin Jazz. This work introduces a set of terms, definitions, and empirical information that allow for a broader, more informed discussion Popular music : worksong of the Caribbean. The salsa concept ; Ontology of the son ; The sabor aesthetic On the road to Latin jazz. Magic mixture ; Drumming in Cuban ; Lords of the tambor ; Chocolate dreams ; The taste of "azúcar!" Explores the complexity of Cuban dance music and its connection, musically and historically, to other Caribbean musics, as well as to salsa and Latin jazz