Latin Music Influence

Salsa music originated in Eastern Cuba in the early 1900s. The music came from a mix of Spanish and Afro-Cuban music, using both rhythms and instruments from each style. Salsa dance is a mixture of many various styles and techniques. It was created by immigrants coming to Latin America in search of better lives and African slaves. These people combined Danzón

Carlos Santana is the original icon of Latin American music, producing sounds of Rock N Roll and Salsa. Into both an artistic and in marketable music making ways. Carlos Santana has an astonishing lead guitar sound that has became his trademark over the years. Because of him Latin and American guitar players has someone to look up to and learn from. Also, Carlos Santana, importance in both the Latin America and internationally is that they started a new Latin based rock sound featuring a Cuban beat.

The fusion happened in 1940 in the city of New York through the beginning of Machito and the Afro-Cubans orchestra, which was under directorship of Cuban trumpeter Mario Bauzá who essentially created the Latin Jazz through fusing jazz arrangements with Afro- Cuban percussion rhythm. “Tanga” by Bauzá, was the first real example of the music style known today as Latin Jazz. Latin Jazz is world famous for its distinct syncopated (in which the accent is shifted to the weaker beats) rhythmic quality. Famous Jazz pioneer, Jelly Roll Morton referred to the rhythm of the Jazz played in New Orleans during the early 20th century as “Latin Tinge”. The reference of “Latin Tinge” was directly due to the influence of the Cuban Habanera,

Another artist who had a large influence in the black freedom movement and the third world struggles during the 1960’s and 70’s is Sun Ra. Sun Ra is a revolutionary jazz musician who began performing professionally as a kid. Once Sun Ra moved to Chicago in 1945, he immersed himself in jazz. Throughout his life, Sun Ra was influenced by space, religion and radical social movements and he expresses his beliefs and ideals through his music. Sun Ra’s love of astronomy and spiritual awakening opened doors for his music because he started fighting the constraints in jazz.

He also was one of the first musicians to star in movies, which would help illustrate a type of idol for future musician- turned movie stars. This was another way Presley impacted the current culture; he was the first to convert from a performer into a movie star, and set a standard for future stars. Elvis Presley’s records would soon make record history. In 1956, Elvis’s self -titled debut album was released. The cover of the album was defined as the “rock and roll persona” and introduces the genre’s lead instrument, the guitar.

Before this epoch, the indigenous people and the slaves brought to the Americas in the 17th century, danced to their own music, but very little is known about it. After the American Civil War people from the Caribbean and the south of the United States began to move to the big cities in the North. In New York many settled in the Harlem District. They brought with them their own music and cultural traditions. Dances as Charleston and Lindyhop became very popular among blacks as well as whites and the influence of what is called this ‘Harlem Renaissance’ spread even into Europe.

While the trio's hillbilly songs initially provoked laughter, they became popular dance tunes among the predominantly black club-goers. During a visit to Chicago in 1955 Berry befriended his idol, the blues singer Muddy Waters. Taken with Berry's talent, Waters introduced him to Leonard Chess, then the president of

Overall, Dizzy Gillespie helped form the beginning of Rock & Roll with his early jazz and Be-Bop ways. Dizzy Gillespie made a substantial impact on music history because he was an African American performing popular tunes that were soon going to help form early Rock & Roll. Dizzy Gillespie helped popularize jazz music with his original style of voice and instrumental sounds. Salt Peanuts was a memorable song during its time due to the fact jazz was at its hit point and Dizzy used techniques in this song such as repetitive music and long jazz solos.

is a dance film. As demonstrated in the previous paragraphs, dancing Latin is undeniably attached to intimacy in both films, but in different ways; in Mambo Girl, Latin dance serves as an effect of intimacy whereas in Shall We Dansu?, it serves as the cause of intimacy. In a movie musical, dance and music become supporting characters in the film, often being used to drive the plot and reveal information about characters. Thus, in Mambo Girl, Latin dance serves to accompany, accentuate, and work in tandem with the narrative; therefore, Kailing’s way of moving with or without physical contact with others is a reflection of the level of intimacy she has with them. A dance film, on the other hand, employs dance as a main character with a more pivotal role in the transformation of the protagonist.

One such Broadway pioneer, Stephen Sondheim, develops a style that relies on wit and shock factor to make statements about American society. Unlike the musical comedies that initially set a precedent for their gaudy numbers that highlight the performers, Sondheim’s musicals contain strong plots and characters that highlight the plot. The songs contribute to the setting and situation of the musical instead of distracting from the story. Audiences initially meet his musicals with mixed opinions: some love them for their intellectuality, but the musicals shock others with their bold themes. Presently, audiences increasingly respect Sondheim’s musicals for their innovative themes and formats.

The arrival of the radio and the phonograph records introduced jazz to remote locations. The media provided an opportunity for jazz musicians to make a name for themselves. Radio caused the improvement of old songs, and the popular new songs. Public dance halls, clubs, and tea rooms opened in the cities. There was dance moves that were called black dances because they were inspired by African style dance moves like the shimmy, turkey trot, buzzard lope, chicken scratch, monkey glide, and the bunny

In the midst of all this when he met Zenas Sears. This became his manager. Willis had hits on both the R&B and pop charts from 1956 to 1958. He was also a successful artist and he began to compose other songs for other artist. Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and many more are example of great musician he composed for.