African Roots in Latino Culture, Music and Dance

Throughout time, the instruments, vocals and rhythms of diverse cultures and heritages blend to create new musical forms. Much of what we listen to today can be traced back hundreds of years to the African slave trade. In the Americas and the Caribbean, enslaved people influenced the indigenous music of the region with drumming, upbeat rhythms, call and response and more. To this day, African music underpins Latin American styles such as bachata, cumbia, samba and reggaeton.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Standing in Solidarity discusses the influence of African slaves on the creation and legacies of Latin American musical and dance forms. Our PSEG True Diversity Film Series selection is Buena Vista Social Club, a documentary about the musicians in Havana who popularized Cuban jazz.