Essay On Latin Jazz

Latin Jazz, also known as Afro-Cuban jazz originated around 1940. It was due to the gradual and long interactions of American and Cuban music which birthed this distinct style of jazz. African american tunes and dance rhythms traveled north into the United States as well as the musical styles of African-American Jazz found their way down to the Caribbean and Central and Southern America. The fusion of both musical styles; Cuban music and African-American jazz was largely due to musicians and dancers throughout the area beginning to familiarise themselves with both of the musical techniques. 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,

For example, Blues. Latin jazz and Blues share many common component, elements and other features that show their similarities although the most strongest similarity between both styles is their shared cultural origins. Blues originated in 19th century southern United States and Latin jazz originated in African American communities in southern United States during the early 20th century. They both originated around the same parts of North America, around the same time. Latin jazz and Cool jazz also developed around the same time which was during the