Introduction to Latin Music

Cultural History of Latin Music

WHAT IS LATIN MUSIC?
The term “Latin music” is a generic category with a singular identity. The term “Latin music” can include music from
various Latin American and Caribbean countries. Latin American and Caribbean cultures do not share the same
musical traditions, musical instruments, or cultural identities. Each country has its own musical heritage and
identity.
ORIGIN OF LATIN MUSIC
Latin music shares three common Cultural Elements:
• African culture
• Native American culture
• European culture
HOW DID LATIN MUSIC CAME TO THE USA?
 Colonialization of the new world
 England, Spain, France and Portugal began colonizing territory in the new world during 1500’s to 1800’s.
 European countries enslaved and imposed customs on native people.
 Colonial powers transferred people from their homelands to the new world.
Colonial powers in the new world
• Spain colonized Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Dominican Republic, and South America.
• France colonized Haiti.
• Portugal colonized Brazil.
• England colonized the USA.
Colonial Cuba
• Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean.
• Spain colonized Cuba to be the largest sugar producing region in the world.
• Approximately 3.5 million African slaves were transported to the new world between the 1500’s to 1800’s.
• The Spanish suppressed African traditions by imposing religion and Spanish language on the slaves.

HOW DID AFRICAN TRADITIONS SURVIVE SPANISH COLONIALIZATION?

• Africans maintained their cultural and religious practices in secret.
• Africans continued to worship their own gods by giving African deities names of Christian saints.
• Africans continued religious ceremonies that involved drumming and chanting.
Spanish American War 1898
• U.S. entered into war with Spain due to sinking of the battleship, “Maine”.
• The Platt amendment allowed the USA to intervene in Cuban independence by requiring Cuba to sell or
lease to the USA land for naval bases.
• Guantanamo Bay is the result of that amendment.
• The USA occupied Cuba from 1898-1902.
WHY IS LATIN MUSIC AMERICAN MUSIC?
• In the 1920’s the United States granted citizenship status to Puerto Rico.
• Puerto Ricans immigrated to East Harlem in New York City.
• In 1959, Fidel Castro overthrew the Cuban government. Many Cuban citizens left Cuba for the USA.
• Cubans immigrated to the USA and began living in Miami and New York.
LATIN MUSIC INTEGRATES WITH JAZZ
• In the 1940’s, Latin and Jazz music begin to integrate when Latin composer, Juan Tizol, wrote “Caravan” for
Duke Ellington.
• Cuban arranger Mario Bauza formed the Latin group: Machito’s Afro-Cubans.
• Dizzy Gillespie merged Jazz with Afro-Cuban music to introduce, “CuBop”.
• In 1947, Chano Pozo, a Cuban conga drummer joined Dizzy Gillespie’s jazz band.
PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS
• Clave • Timbales • Cajones
• Maracas • Tambora • Cascara
• Cowbells • Bombo • Shekere
• Congas • Guiro • Tres
• Bongos • Palitos • Marimbula
 MUSIC OF LATIN AMERICA
LATIN AMERICAN MUSIC INFLUENCED BY AFRICAN MUSIC
 Reggae  Salsa  Samba  Soca  Were  Zouk
 Reggae is a Jamaican sound dominated by bass guitar and drums. It refers to a particular music style that was
strongly influenced by traditional mento and calypso music, as well as American jazz, and rhythm and blues.
The most recognizable musical elements of reggae are its offbeat rhythm and staccato chords.
 Samba- dance form of African origins around 1838 which evolved into an African-Brazilian invention in the
working class and slum districts of Rio de Janeiro. Batucada” the most adventurous kind of samba
 Salsa- Social dance with marked influences from Cuba and Puerto Rico and Colombia. Its style contains
elements from the swing dance and hustle as well as the complex Afro-Cuban and Afro- Carribean dance forms
of pachanga and guaguanco, guaracha, chachacha, mambo and bolero.
 Soca is a modern Trinidadian and Tobago pop music combining “soul” and “calypso” music.
 Were is Muslim music performed often as a wake-up call for early breakfast and prayers during Ramadan
celebrations. Relying on pre-arranged music, it fuses the African and European music styles with particular
usage of the natural harmonic series.
 Zouk is fast, carnival-like hythmic music, from the Creole slang word for ‘party,’ originating in the Carribean
Islands of Guadaloupe and Martinique and popularized in the 1980’s. It has a pulsating beat supplied by the
gwoka and tambour bele drums, a tibwa rhythmic pattern played on the rim of the snare drum and its hi-hat,
rhythm guitar, a horn section, and keyboard synthesizers.
INFLUENCES ON LATIN-AMERICAN MUSIC
1. Indigenous Latin-American Music
a. Natives were found to be using local drum and percussion instruments such as the guiro, maracas, and turtle shells,
and wind instruments such as zampona ( pan pipes) and quena (notched-end flutes).
b. Materials came from hollow tree trunks, animal skins, fruit shells, dry seeds, jaguar claws, animal and human bones
and especially-treated inflated eyes of tigers.
c. The indigenous music of Latin America was largely functional in nature, being used for religious worship and
ceremonies.

Quena Zampona Turtle Shell Guiro Maracas

2. Native American/Indian Music

 Short musical motives from descending melodic lines were a common feature, where tempo, rhythm, and tone
colors vary with the specific occasion or ritual.
 Many dance forms were repetitious, while songs had a wide range of volume levels.
Examples: Amazing Grace, Jambalaya, Sugar Time, Dixie.
3. Afro-Latin American Music
 Complex layering of rhythmic patterns was a favorite device, where fast paced tempos add to the rhythmic
density.
 African influence on Latin American music is most pronounced in its rich and varied rhythmic patterns produced
by the drums and various percussion instruments.
 Vocal music was often deep chested while instrumental music greatly relied on resonant drums and sympathetic
buzzers to produce rich sounds and occasional loud volume levels to reflect their intensity.
4. Euro-Latin American Music
 The different regions of Latin America adopted various characteristics from their European colonizers.
 Melodies of the Renaissance period were used in Southern Chile and the Colombian Pacific coasts, while step-
wise melodies were preferred in the heavily Hispanic and Moorish-influenced areas of Venezuela and Colombia.
5. Mixed American Music
 This musical fusion of Latin America combining native instruments with European counterparts and musical
theories was further enriched by the instruments brought by the African slaves.
 The result of the massive infusion of African culture also brought about the introduction of other music and
dance forms such as the Afro-
 Cuban rumba, Jamaican reggae, Colombian cumbia, and the Brazilian samba.
6. Popular Latin Music
 Its danceable rhythms, passionate melodies, and exotic harmonies continue to enthrall music and dance
enthusiasts worldwide even as the forms themselves undergo constant modifications that are more relevant to
the times. Some of these Latin American popular music forms are tango, bossa nova, samba, son, and salsa.
 VOCAL AND DANCE FORMS OF LATIN-AMERICAN MUSIC
• The original Latin dance forms have been experiencing constant revivals of their popularity especially in
“ballroom dancing” as the trendier modern styles also fade almost as quickly as they come.
1. Cumbia- originated in Panama, popular courtship dance
2. Tango- It is of African origin meaning “African Dance”/from the Spanish word “Taner” meaning to play.
Foremost Argentinian and Uruguayan urban popular song and dance.
3. Cha cha- Derived from mambo and its characteristic rhythm.
4. Rumba- recreational dance of Afro-Cuban origin, normally used as a ballroom dance where a solo dancer or
couple would be in an embrace though slightly apart.
5. Son- Fusion of the popular music or “canciones” of Spain and the African rumba rhythms of Bantu origin.
Originating in Cuba, it is usually played with the tres (guitar), contrabass, bongos, maracas, and claves.
6. Bossa Nova
 The word bossa comes from the Brazilian capital of Rio de Janeiro, which means either “trend” or “something
charming,” integrating melody, harmony, and rhythm into a swaying feel, where the vocal style is often nasal.
- The nylon-stringed classical guitar is the most important instrument of this style. Bossa nova contains themes
centering on love, women, longing, nature, and youthfulness.
• A foremost figure of bossa nova is Antonio Carlos Jobim, who became famous with his song Desafinado
(1957). He collaborated with Vincius de Moraes in the play Orfeu da Conceicao (1956), musical recording of
Cancao do Amor Demais (1958), and the song Garota de Ipanema or Girl from Ipanema (1962) that turned
bossa nova’s popularity into a worldwide phenomenon.
• In the Philippine pop music scene, Sitti Navarro is a singer who has become known as the “Philippines’ Queen
of Bossa Nova.” Some of her bossa nova songs include Para sa Akin, Hey Look at the Sun, Lost in Space, and
Kung Di Rin Lang Ikaw. Example: Para sa Akin
7. Reggae
It is a popular music and dance style that originated in Jamaica in the mid 1960’s.
 It was a synthesis of Western American (Afro-American) popular music and the traditional Afro-Jamaican
music, containing a western-style melodic-harmonic base with African sounds and characteristics, American
pop and rock music mannerisms, and a preference for a loud volume in the bass.
 The best-known proponent of reggae music is Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley ( Bob Marley), a Jamaican singer-
songwriter, musician, and guitarist. He achieved international fame and acclaim for songs such as: One Love,
Three Little Birds; No Woman, No Cry; Redemption Song; and Stir It Up. Example: One Love
8. Foxtrot- Gave rise to other dances such as the black bottom, Charleston and shimmy.
9. Paso Doble- “double step” is a theatrical Spanish dance used by the Spaniards in bullfights. The dance is
arrogant and dignified with a duple meter, march-like character.
10. Salsa is a social dance with marked influences from Cuba and Puerto Rico that started in New York in the mid
1970’s. Its style contains elements from the swing dance and hustle as well as the complex Afro-Cuban and
Afro-Carribean dance forms of pachanga and guaguanco.

PHILIPPINE POPULAR MUSIC

The 1980s to 1990s are also regarded as the golden era of Philippine ballads. Among the classics that emerged were
those created by:
 Ryan Cayabyab (Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika, Kahit Ika’y Panaginip Lang)
 George Canseco (Kapantay ay Langit, Kastilyong Buhangin, Tubig at Langis)
 Willie Cruz (Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas, Bituing Walang Ningning)
 Jose Mari Chan (Beautiful Girl, Please Be Careful With My Heart, Constant Change)
 Gary Valenciano (Sana Maulit Muli)
Most of these compositions made use of Western-type melody and harmony, while expressing uniquely Filipino
emotions in movingly poetic lyrics. These came to be known as OPM, and were popularized by solo artists like Pilita
Corales, Nora Aunor, Basil Valdez, Celeste Legaspi, Hajji Alejandro, Leah Navarro, Sharon Cuneta, Martin Nievera,
Gary Valenciano, ZsaZsa Padilla, Regine Velasquez, and Ogie Alcasid. At the start, OPM was centered in Manila,
where Tagalog and English are the dominant languages. However, other ethno-linguistic groups such as the
Visayan, Bikol, Kapampangan, and Ilocano also began to sing and record their songs in their native dialects.
 Between the 1980s and 1990s, OPM was led by artists such as Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Lea Salonga, Regine
Velasquez, Sharon Cuneta, Vina Morales, Raymond Lauchengco, Francis Magalona, Pops Fernandez, José Mari Chan,
Dingdong Avanzado, Janno Gibbs, Ogie Alcasid, Joey Albert, Manilyn Reynes, among many others. In the 1990s, the
famous solo artists and bands included The Eraserheads, Smokey Mountain, Donna Cruz, Jessa Zaragoza, Ariel Rivera,
Southborder, Afterimage, Andrew E., Jaya, Rivermaya, Parokya ni Edgar, among many others. Underground bands
emerged and along with them were their perceptions of idealism and self-expression. More recently, OPM stars have
included Yeng Constantino, Sarah Geronimo, Aisa Seguerra, and international singers Arnel Pineda (of the
international rock group, Journey), Charice Pempengco, and others
PHILIPPINE POP MUSIC
Pop music in the Philippines started as an adaptation or translation, if not complete imitation, of Western hits. It
started with Bobby Gonzales’ Hahabol-habol (Hot Pursuit), a local version of the rock and roll songs of the 1950s,
and Rico Puno’s Luneta, a local adaptation of The Way We Were. This immediately clicked with the youth and
eventually gained wide acceptance even among the “burgis” (bourgeois or elite) crowd.
 The start of the “Manila Sound” in the mid-1970s gave rise to songs using a colloquial language called Taglish, a
combination of Tagalog and English. These Filipino lyrics sung to pop melodies resulted in highly singable songs
with contemporary appeal.
 Among the proponents of the Manila Sound were the Hotdog, Cinderella, The Rainmakers, and the Apo Hiking
Society. After waning briefly in the 1990’s, this sound regained popularity in recent years with remakes of the
1970’s originals by contemporary rock bands.

PHILIPPINE JAZZ
Philippine musicians have also been inspired by jazz music. Among them are jazz pianist and recording artist Boy
Katindig, who comes from the well-known clan of musicians that includes jazz piano legend Romy Katindig and
saxophonist Eddie Katindig. The Katindig family pioneered Latin jazz in Manila.

 Other notable Filipino jazz musicians include Lito Molina, Angel Peña, Emil Mijares, and internationally known
jazz pianist Bobby Enriquez.

PHILIPPINE ROCK
The year 1973 saw the birth of Philippine or “Pinoy” rock music which successfully merged the rock beat with
Filipino lyrics. This new sound was introduced by the legendary Juan de la Cruz Band (with their song Ang Himig
Natin) which had for its members Joey “Pepe” Smith, Wally Gonzales, and the originator of Jeproks, Mike Hanopol,
who later became a major symbol of Pinoy rock. Other early exponents of Pinoy rock included the band Maria
Cafra; Sampaguita, the female rocker; and folk-rock singer Heber Bartolome and his Banyuhay band, whose songs
expressed strong messages of nationalism. Continuing this legacy of Pinoy rock today are vocal groups and bands
that include River Maya, The Dawn, True Faith, The Eraserheads, Wolfgang, Bamboo, Parokya ni Edgar, Hale,
Sandwich, SugarFree, Sponge Cola,and others.

PINOY RAP
In the Philippines, rap was also made popular by such composers and performers as Francis Magalona (Mga
Kababayan Ko and Watawat) and Andrew E (Humanap Ka ng Pangit). Francis Magalona was born on October 4,
1964 and died on March 6, 2009. He is also known as FrancisM, “Master Rapper,” and “The Man From Manila.” He
was a Filipino rapper, songwriter, producer, actor, director, television host, and photographer. He is often hailed as
the “King of Pinoy Rap” and is considered a legend in the Philippine music community. With the success of his
earliest albums, Magalona was the first Filipino rapper to cross over to the mainstream. He is also credited for
having pioneered the merging of rap with Pinoy rock, becoming a significant influence on artists in that genre as
well. He was later awarded a posthumous Presidential Medal of Merit “for his musical and artistic brilliance, his
deep faith in the Filipino, and his sense of national pride that continue to inspire us.”

PINOY MUSIC COLLABORATION

Philippine pop artists have also collaborated with classical artists and orchestras in a number of their recordings and
concerts. Some of the concerts of Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Regine Velazquez, Lea Salonga, and Sharon
Cuneta have featured the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the ABS-CBN Orchestra, and the Manila Philharmonic
Orchestra in performances at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Philippine International
Convention Center (PICC), both known venues for classical music, as well as at the Araneta Coliseum and Folk Arts
Theater (FAT). Classical musicians have also performed in malls and other commercial venues to popularize classical
music, popular music, and OPM

SUMMARY
From theater tunes to rock and roll, pop, standards, hip hop, rap, and contemporary ballads—whether in the West,
in the Philippines, or anywhere else in the world—these all provided a rich and diverse musical background in the
development of Philippine contemporary music. The development of Philippine music was also influenced by the
history of the country—from its pre-Spanish roots, through the Spanish and American periods, up to the present. It
has since evolved to have its own rich and distinct identity.