Latin Jazz

Latin jazz is a fusion of traditional Latin American music and jazz. Its roots can be traced back to the 1930s in Cuba, when jazz musicians such as Don Azpiazu and Xavier Cugat began incorporating elements of Cuban son and danzón into their music. In the 1950s and 60s, Latin jazz flourished in the United States, especially in New York City, as Afro-Cuban and Puerto Rican jazz musicians began experimenting with different musical styles. Latin jazz blends the sounds of mambo, salsa, cha cha, rumba, and bolero with jazz harmonies, improvisation, and rhythms. Latin jazz is heavily influenced by African and Afro-Caribbean music, and the genre continues to evolve today.