Latin Jazz The Perfect Combination/La Combinacion Perfecta

Latin jazz-the perfect combination of Latin rhythms and hot jazz phrasing-energizes audiences like no other music.. As part of the Smithsonian Institution s series of major exhibitions on jazz music, Latin Jazz traces the music s roots and routes, from the Caribbean to New Orleans and the clubs of New York City to its booming international popularity today. More than 100 rare photos from the 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s show musicians and audiences in full swing, along with dozens of album covers and posters from the heyday. Stories told by the greats who were there, such as Mario Bauz and Cal Tjader, convey all the zest for life that has made the music so exciting, and contributions by renowned musicians Andy Gonz lez and Al McKibbon attest to its legacy. With all text in both English and Spanish, Latin Jazz is a spectacular and fitting tribute to this exciting musical fusion.

Raul Fernandez is professor of social sciences at the University of California at Irvine.