Archived from Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Join Latin jazz musician Bobby Sanabria in a conversation about a new documentary series that offers a fresh take on our musical history, reaching across five decades and across musical genres to portray the rich mix of sounds created by Latinos and embraced by all.
Archived Chat
Welcome to the Engage Live Chat series. Today we are thrilled to welcome Bobby Sanabria, Latin musician and historian. Thank you for joining us today Bobby. Here comes the first question.
Juan Carlos Herrera Mujica, Iowa City/University of Iowa:
What do you consider is the most unappreciated or less acknowledged influence of Latin music to the US's culture?
Bobby Sanabria:
Hi Juan,
Thanks for your great question IMHO it's the influence that Latin music and Latino musicians have had on jazz. We were there from contributing to the birth of jazz in New Orleans right from the start till now. Read "Latin Jazz: The First of The Fusions" by John Storm Roberts for some info and his other great work The Latin Tinge: The Influence of Latin American Music on The United states.
Ache' (positive energy),
Bobby
Thanks for your great question IMHO it's the influence that Latin music and Latino musicians have had on jazz. We were there from contributing to the birth of jazz in New Orleans right from the start till now. Read "Latin Jazz: The First of The Fusions" by John Storm Roberts for some info and his other great work The Latin Tinge: The Influence of Latin American Music on The United states.
Ache' (positive energy),
Bobby
Rocio, Los Angeles, CA:
Latin music's history is geographically sprawling, how did you find the definitive moments/places to feature?
Bobby Sanabria:
Hi Rocio,
Thanks for your question. When you talk about Latin Music your talking about music from 22 countries that make up Latino America. It's a pretty daunting task to even cover one are like Colombia which has about 180 different styles of music. The producers wisely chose to cover styles that have had a direct influence on North American culture and hence the various categories covered in the doc. Ours is a music of multi-cultural fusion, check out the incredible website and you'll see why.
Ache',
Bobby
Thanks for your question. When you talk about Latin Music your talking about music from 22 countries that make up Latino America. It's a pretty daunting task to even cover one are like Colombia which has about 180 different styles of music. The producers wisely chose to cover styles that have had a direct influence on North American culture and hence the various categories covered in the doc. Ours is a music of multi-cultural fusion, check out the incredible website and you'll see why.
Ache',
Bobby
Juana, Jackson, MS:
What makes Latin music so rich and able to touch so many people? *
Bobby Sanabria:
Hi Juana,
Thanks for your simple yet prophetic question, Our multi-cultural heritage is what makes out music so rich. We have Africa, Europe, Amer-Indian, and Middle eastern elements in all of our music. Some styles more than others obviously. Polka music from Mexico obviously was influenced more by Euro based polka music from Germany, Poland, etc. Salsa was more influenced rhythmically by West African rooted rhythms. But in our diversity is our strength. We basically have it all and a bag of chips as we would say in Da' Bronx.
Ache',
Bobby
Thanks for your simple yet prophetic question, Our multi-cultural heritage is what makes out music so rich. We have Africa, Europe, Amer-Indian, and Middle eastern elements in all of our music. Some styles more than others obviously. Polka music from Mexico obviously was influenced more by Euro based polka music from Germany, Poland, etc. Salsa was more influenced rhythmically by West African rooted rhythms. But in our diversity is our strength. We basically have it all and a bag of chips as we would say in Da' Bronx.
Ache',
Bobby
Luis Balarezo, Miami, FL:
Is there a particular reason for which african influence in latin music came from Cuba or Puerto Rico and not within african-americans?
Bobby Sanabria:
Hi Luis,
Great question. The reason we have so much African heritage in not only Cuba, Puerto Rico, but also the Dominican Republic, and most of the Caribbean and Central and South America are socio-politically based. When happened was that when Spain began bringing West African as slaves in 1510 to the Caribbean they converted them to Catholicism, allowing African culture to survive and in many cases thrive. It even lives in our present day Spanish language. Words like mambo, chevere, bongo are just a few examples of words that we commonly use today that are West African rooted. In the United States all that was taken away from our West African brothers and sisters. It was illegal to play hand drums, speak in any Afican-based languages, etc. Only in New Orleans for a short time was this allowed. Our African-American brothers and sisters had to rebirth their culture here in all of the great musical styles they developed like the blues and jazz.
Ache' - The Yoruba word for positive energy,
Bobby
Great question. The reason we have so much African heritage in not only Cuba, Puerto Rico, but also the Dominican Republic, and most of the Caribbean and Central and South America are socio-politically based. When happened was that when Spain began bringing West African as slaves in 1510 to the Caribbean they converted them to Catholicism, allowing African culture to survive and in many cases thrive. It even lives in our present day Spanish language. Words like mambo, chevere, bongo are just a few examples of words that we commonly use today that are West African rooted. In the United States all that was taken away from our West African brothers and sisters. It was illegal to play hand drums, speak in any Afican-based languages, etc. Only in New Orleans for a short time was this allowed. Our African-American brothers and sisters had to rebirth their culture here in all of the great musical styles they developed like the blues and jazz.
Ache' - The Yoruba word for positive energy,
Bobby
Clay L. - Latin/Jazz Mecca, Vallejo, California:
Enjoyed bcast, but starts in 1920s. Tells us about early Latinos in USA before all that: beginning of Jazz in New Orleans *
Bobby Sanabria:
Hi Clay,
Great question. This goes back to an earlier question in terms of jazz historians not giving proper credit to the contributions of Latinos. There were many Latino musicians responsible for the birth,and development of jazz in Nawlins. First comes to mind the Calvary Regimental Band from Mexico who performed at the New Orleans World Cotton Expositon in 1885-86. Many of these musicians stayed in Nawlins and taught many early jazz players. The Tio family from Mexico, Lorenzo Sr. and Jr. were great clarinetists and saxophonists who taught many early New Orleans jazz musicians at the turn of the century. There were many Panamanians in New Orleans, Cubans, etc. who brought there own influences to the mix, as well as Puerto Ricans, and Dominicans, Haitians, etc. The evidence of this lives till this day whenever you hear a New Orleans second line parade marching group play in Mardi Gras or at funerals,, parties etc. The whole beat of New Orleans is based on the "clave," the rhythmic mantra that we inherited from Africa, through Cuba to the rest of Latin America and New Orleans. It's the rhythmic base of funk, rock, r & b, heavy metal, and anything else that you listen to today in popular music. Other examples of great unsung Latino musicians in jazz are Panamanian pianist Luis Russell who was Louis Armstrong's musical director, Cuban Fats Navarro who was a virtuosic bebop trumpeter, and Nuyorican drummer, percussionist Willie Bobo, the list goes on and on and on...
Ache',
Bobby
Great question. This goes back to an earlier question in terms of jazz historians not giving proper credit to the contributions of Latinos. There were many Latino musicians responsible for the birth,and development of jazz in Nawlins. First comes to mind the Calvary Regimental Band from Mexico who performed at the New Orleans World Cotton Expositon in 1885-86. Many of these musicians stayed in Nawlins and taught many early jazz players. The Tio family from Mexico, Lorenzo Sr. and Jr. were great clarinetists and saxophonists who taught many early New Orleans jazz musicians at the turn of the century. There were many Panamanians in New Orleans, Cubans, etc. who brought there own influences to the mix, as well as Puerto Ricans, and Dominicans, Haitians, etc. The evidence of this lives till this day whenever you hear a New Orleans second line parade marching group play in Mardi Gras or at funerals,, parties etc. The whole beat of New Orleans is based on the "clave," the rhythmic mantra that we inherited from Africa, through Cuba to the rest of Latin America and New Orleans. It's the rhythmic base of funk, rock, r & b, heavy metal, and anything else that you listen to today in popular music. Other examples of great unsung Latino musicians in jazz are Panamanian pianist Luis Russell who was Louis Armstrong's musical director, Cuban Fats Navarro who was a virtuosic bebop trumpeter, and Nuyorican drummer, percussionist Willie Bobo, the list goes on and on and on...
Ache',
Bobby
CongaDawgg, Asheville, NC:
What is the cymbal you use on the solo on the Latin Music USA website? Sabian? *
Bobby Sanabria:
Hi Dawg,
Woof, woof. :):) The cymbal was an 18" El Sabor Sabian cymbal. it's specifaclly designed to be used with the timbale.Thanks Richie "Gajate" Garcia who designed it many moons ago. Who was the first to use it when Sabian first marketed it? Maestro Tito Puente.
Great question...
Ache',
Bobby
Woof, woof. :):) The cymbal was an 18" El Sabor Sabian cymbal. it's specifaclly designed to be used with the timbale.Thanks Richie "Gajate" Garcia who designed it many moons ago. Who was the first to use it when Sabian first marketed it? Maestro Tito Puente.
Great question...
Ache',
Bobby
Lidia Patras, Seattle, WA:
Why not a word in the series about how the influence of salsa and mambo is present worldwide today, especially through dancing?
Bobby Sanabria:
Hi Lidia,
In part 1 that point was made obvious in the segment on how the rhythms of Afro-Cuban/Latin music became part of the rock arsenal. Also the on screen commentary by David Rubinson addressed that. "Latin music was everywhere..." In episode 2 the point was made by showing how the Fania All Stars began touring the world. Listen to Willie Colon's and Alex Massuci's commentary about how they were touring all over the world and how major rock magazines like Rolling Stone, Crawdaddy, etc. were covering them. Buy the DVD and watch it again and go to the website.
Thanks for your question.
Ache',
Bobby
In part 1 that point was made obvious in the segment on how the rhythms of Afro-Cuban/Latin music became part of the rock arsenal. Also the on screen commentary by David Rubinson addressed that. "Latin music was everywhere..." In episode 2 the point was made by showing how the Fania All Stars began touring the world. Listen to Willie Colon's and Alex Massuci's commentary about how they were touring all over the world and how major rock magazines like Rolling Stone, Crawdaddy, etc. were covering them. Buy the DVD and watch it again and go to the website.
Thanks for your question.
Ache',
Bobby
Jamie Scott, New York NY:
Bobby, how can this music find a wider, more appreciative audience?
Bobby Sanabria:
Hi Jaime,
By people like yourself letting everyone know about this great music that offers something for everyone. Get the DVD, share it with friends, don't keep the music to yourself. Encourage others, especially young people to check out concerts, dances, and view films like this one. The answer always lies in education. You and everyone else are inherently educators, illuminators, share the music's majesty with everyone. This documentary is a ground breaking step in that direction. Turn everyone on to the website where they can actually see parts 1 & 2 if they missed it and learn so much more. And don't forget to watch parts 3 & 4 next week.
Great question...
Ache',
Bobby
By people like yourself letting everyone know about this great music that offers something for everyone. Get the DVD, share it with friends, don't keep the music to yourself. Encourage others, especially young people to check out concerts, dances, and view films like this one. The answer always lies in education. You and everyone else are inherently educators, illuminators, share the music's majesty with everyone. This documentary is a ground breaking step in that direction. Turn everyone on to the website where they can actually see parts 1 & 2 if they missed it and learn so much more. And don't forget to watch parts 3 & 4 next week.
Great question...
Ache',
Bobby
Janina, Astoria, NY:
Where in the NYC Area can I go to listen to Latin Jazz?
Bobby Sanabria:
Hi Janina,
It just so happens that I'm doing a big concert conducted the recently Grammy nominated Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra this October 23 in honor of composer/arranger Maestro Ray Santos. Go to the MSM website for tickets. MSM is located at W. 122nd Street and Broadway. The concert starts at 7:30pm my favorite clubs to play at in NYV are Dizzy's Club Coca Cola, Feinsteins, and Birdland. You can check out Latin jazz in NYC at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe on Thursdays, the FB Lounge on Thursdays, Birdland with Arturo O'Farill conducting the Chico O'Farill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra on Sundays, Chris Washburne at Smoke on Sundays, Brazilian jazz at the Zinc bar I believe on Sundays and other times during the week. That will get you started.
For Latin jazz concert/club listings all over the nation and world go to Chip Boaz's website, The Latin Jazz Corner...
Thanks for your question.
Ache',
Bobby
It just so happens that I'm doing a big concert conducted the recently Grammy nominated Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra this October 23 in honor of composer/arranger Maestro Ray Santos. Go to the MSM website for tickets. MSM is located at W. 122nd Street and Broadway. The concert starts at 7:30pm my favorite clubs to play at in NYV are Dizzy's Club Coca Cola, Feinsteins, and Birdland. You can check out Latin jazz in NYC at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe on Thursdays, the FB Lounge on Thursdays, Birdland with Arturo O'Farill conducting the Chico O'Farill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra on Sundays, Chris Washburne at Smoke on Sundays, Brazilian jazz at the Zinc bar I believe on Sundays and other times during the week. That will get you started.
For Latin jazz concert/club listings all over the nation and world go to Chip Boaz's website, The Latin Jazz Corner...
Thanks for your question.
Ache',
Bobby
Chip Boaz - The Latin Jazz Corner, Petaluma, CA:
You focused on some early Latin Jazz; coming up to present day, what artists/albums would represent significant moments in Latin Jazz history?
Bobby Sanabria:
Hi Chip,
Very auickly...
The Original Mambo Kings - An Intro to Cubop - Machito & The Afro-Cubans
Latin jazz - La Combinacion Perfecta - Smithsonian record
Cumbia Jazz Fusion - Charles Mingus
Caravanserai - Santana
Tito Puente - the complete RCA recordings
Tito Puente- Top Percussion & Puente In Percussion
Hermeto Pascoal - Black Mass
Jerry Gonzalez & The Ft. Apache Band - Rumba Para Monk
Cal Tjader - Monterey Concerts
Herbie Hancock - Inventions & Dimensions
Tanga - Mario Bauza - Messidor Records
and to end on a lighter note, my three Grammy nominated big band albums Live & In Clave, Big Band Urban Folktales and the recent Kenya revisited live!!!
of course five minutes from now I'll have a completely different list. :)
Ache',
Bobby
Very auickly...
The Original Mambo Kings - An Intro to Cubop - Machito & The Afro-Cubans
Latin jazz - La Combinacion Perfecta - Smithsonian record
Cumbia Jazz Fusion - Charles Mingus
Caravanserai - Santana
Tito Puente - the complete RCA recordings
Tito Puente- Top Percussion & Puente In Percussion
Hermeto Pascoal - Black Mass
Jerry Gonzalez & The Ft. Apache Band - Rumba Para Monk
Cal Tjader - Monterey Concerts
Herbie Hancock - Inventions & Dimensions
Tanga - Mario Bauza - Messidor Records
and to end on a lighter note, my three Grammy nominated big band albums Live & In Clave, Big Band Urban Folktales and the recent Kenya revisited live!!!
of course five minutes from now I'll have a completely different list. :)
Ache',
Bobby
Andres, Inglewood, CA:
Who were your inspirations growing up? Was there a particular artist of song that helped you discover your talent?
Bobby Sanabria:
Hi Andres,
Great question to end on...
The beatles, Frank Zappa, James brown, Buddy Rich, Louis Bellson, The Tonight Show Orchestra, Jonny Quest, Top Cat, The twilight Zone, Don Ellis, Billy Cobham, Art Blakey, tito puente, Mongo santamaria, Machito, eddie Palmieri, Cream, Star Trek (the original series), Soupy Sales, Charles Mingus, tony williams, Willie Bobo, herbie Hancock, Brian Auger, all of Motown, Irakere, a show called SOUL! on PBS that you can see some episodedes online, Santana, Coltrane, and many, many more, but most of all, my Dad...
Ache',
Bobby
Great question to end on...
The beatles, Frank Zappa, James brown, Buddy Rich, Louis Bellson, The Tonight Show Orchestra, Jonny Quest, Top Cat, The twilight Zone, Don Ellis, Billy Cobham, Art Blakey, tito puente, Mongo santamaria, Machito, eddie Palmieri, Cream, Star Trek (the original series), Soupy Sales, Charles Mingus, tony williams, Willie Bobo, herbie Hancock, Brian Auger, all of Motown, Irakere, a show called SOUL! on PBS that you can see some episodedes online, Santana, Coltrane, and many, many more, but most of all, my Dad...
Ache',
Bobby
Thank you for joining us today Bobby. Thank you as well to the audience for participating. Please continue the conversation on the Latin Music U.S.A. discussion boards.
Starred (*) questions have been edited by PBS editors for brevity and/or clarity. The original, unedited question can be found to the right under Audience Questions.
chitown
why is the credit/impact/origin of Afro diasporic forms still hidden from & denied in mainstream american culture?
Finally a serious study of
Finally a serious study of Latin music and its influence in the U.S.! Bobby, why do you think it took so long to produce such a documentary?
Dominican influence
I was wondering why PBS didn't include merengue or bachata in the documentery? As a Dominican American I was dissapointed we were left out of the series.
The Latin Music Influence in the 70's
Dominican Influence: Do not feel Bad, keep in mind that the documentary was about the influence of Latin Music in the USA in the 70's... And as long as I know the Merengue fever was in the late 80's and that great and happy music did not become a mega success as Salsa did here in USA or worldwide. Now consider if they were included them, then they would have to talk about Cumbia, Murga ,Vallenato also. Keep in mind that most of Merengue and Bachata's hits are originally eighther Cumbias , Porros or Vallenatos that has been previous hits in Colombia. So I think the limited the documentary just about Salsa, and I have understood they will talk about the Mexican Music ’s Influence in the second part on Oct 29th . For sure they will talk about its Techno-Cumbia, witch is also a gender that came originally from Colombian (Cumbia) but our mexico-americans brothers transformed a little bit into Technocumbia. Some times I also wonder why when it comes to a point that they want to commemorate a Hispanic Heritage They just mention Cuba, Puerto Rico and somestimes Mexico, when there are some others relevant countries like Brasil, Colombia R. Dominicana, Venezuela, Panama just to mention some few that their rich music contribution has been very important, not only to Salsa but also to Jazz and Latin Jazz.
Dominican Influence
I wasn't talking about the 70's I was talking about the whole documentary. They haven't aired the rest of it yet. I know that in the next show they talk about the Mexican influence and reggeaton which is alot newer genre than merengue or bachata.
Dominican Influence
No offense, but to say that most Merengue hits are remakes of "either cumbias, Porros or Vallenatos" is wrong. I'll support your statement with the following: La Gran Manzana song "Bonita pero Mentirosa" originally by Ciclon a Columbian music group. like that song Yes there are other groups that have done the same like Johnny ventura "patacon pisao." Now, to correct your statement.
1)I would like to mention that one of the four rhythms that makes up Vallenato happens to be merengue-- The origins of Merengue music predates Salsa music over 100 years; mid to late 1800's. That's over 100 years of Merengue music from (Quisqueya la Bella) Dominican Republic. You mentioned in a response: Merengue from the 80's. Mr. Martin, that's Merengue de Orquesta only one of the currently 4 forms of Merengue music. The oldest is Perico Ripiao-- Ripped parrot also known as "Typical merengue" that gained popularity in New York in the early 50's. In the 1920's during the Us occupation of Dominican rep. A new merengue Pambiche also known as Yankee-style merengue was born. a slower form of perico ripiao evolved to please our U.S soldiers who couldn't keep up with the fast paced merengue. The others Orquesta in the 40's and now street merengue with Omega etc--the youth's new form of Merengue. Merengue hits where do i begin Alberto Beltran y la Sonora Matancera (cubana) el negrito del Batey, Angel viloria- 'palo bonito', la empaliza or las batatas. Joseito Mateo- 'Compadre Pedro-juan'or Tatico Henriquez el trompezon johnny Ventura filete, la agarradera Wilfrido Vargas Abusadora--I'm not going to continue It's too extensive to list and JLG 440 is not even there. I'll finish with this:
On shakira's lp 'hips don't lie; she sings a part "baile en las calles de noche, baile en las calles de dia" this is a song that they sing every year at Barranquilla's carnival. upon release of this song there was a lawsuit for plagiarism. The original song is a merengue: Baile en las calles written by the Dominican luis 'el terror' diaz and performed by our 'nino mimado' Fernando Villalona. Paul do not feel bad; with so many rhythms, its easy to record a popular song in a different style. Like in Italy Domenico Modugno- Nel blu di pinto di blu then recorded in the Us by (Dino) Dean Martin Volare. it happens!
COLOMBIA
Excuse me, how do you spell COLOMBIA?????? How sad to see this on this web site.
Que alegria ver que al fin se habla de la musica latina, especialmente para una colombiana ya residente en EEUU mas de 30 anios, pero ver que todavia hay gente que no sabe que el pais se llama COLOMBIA es muy triste!
Gracias,
Christel
Latin Music Music Documentary
Hi Bobby,I saw the documentary last nigth here in PR and really enjoy it,thanks for your great job and to let us know about a the history of our Latin Music.
I really appreciate,
Jimmie Morales
Que Orgullo
My family and I watched the entire series. All I can say is "Que Orgullo!!!". My favorite I must say was watching Tio Valde - "Freddy Fender" help set the pace. It was wonderful being able to share this experience with my two children, 9 yrs and 6 yrs. I could see the pride well up in their eyes. They attend a predominantly Caucasian school in Texas, but I am thinking about donating the series to the school's music program so they can share it with all of their class mates.
Gracias - Thank you so much for helping show my children how rich their history and culture is.
sinceramente,
VH Rodriguez
the foundation
Much respect to you Mr. Sanabria for mentioning Eddie Palmieri. Your list of latin influences are def the foundation right there tito puente, Mongo santamaria, Machito, eddie Palmieri. word up.
"lets kick the willie bobo"
Cuba
Hey,
I was wonder what contribtuion did Cubans have on american music of today.
Thank you
Cuba
Hey,
I was wonder what contribution did Cubans have on America's present music, and the music industry?
Thank you
My father is the bass player in Tito Puente's early band
How can I get a copy of the picture of Tito Puente with the band Ramon Olivero y su Orquesta. My father, Felipe Gonzalez is the bass player.
I am looking for a copy of
I am looking for a copy of the picture of the Ramon Olivero Orquesta - my father was the bass player. My cousin is also in the documentary - Santi Gonzalez. He was the bass player for Willie Colon.
I am looking for a copy of
I am looking for a copy of the picture of the Ramon Olivero Orquesta - my father was the bass player. My cousin is also in the documentary - Santi Gonzalez. He was the bass player for Willie Colon.
Post Your Comment About the Chat
We reserve the right to remove posts that don't follow these guidelines. By submitting comments, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which include more details.