Dr. Javier Leon connects the dots on Latin and Afro Caribbean music
As we journey towards our next Mystery Artist, we find that in the early 20th Century, the US was a veritable "melting pot" of Afro-Caribbean and Latin music styles. But why? And can we trace this music back any further?
In this "Show Your Work" episode, Lisa Robbin Young visits Dr. Javier Leon, the director of the Latin American Music Center at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music to explore these roots more deeply.
Dr. Leon helps us understand why it's so hard to trace these musical styles to their sources. He also reveals how so much of the Jazz, Pop, and Rock music we love today has roots in Latin America - with connections between Latin music pioneer, Tito Puente, producer and percussionist Sheila E. and the legendary guitarist, Carlos Santana.
Credits
The Influencers is part of the educational mission of Indiana University and produced by the small but mighty team at WFIU/WTIU Public Media in Bloomington, Indiana. Our producer and host for this episode is Lisa Robbin Young. Executive Producers are Eric Bolstridge and Justin Crossley.
Special Thanks to Dr. Javier Leon for letting us invade his office for the afternoon.
Videography: John Timm & Jake Lindsay
Editor: Saddam Al-Zubaidi
Theme Music: "Melting Pot" by 3Monkeys, courtesy of Universal Production Music.
Additional support from Sam Schemenauer.