While somewhat dry in its narration and dated documentary stylings, A Zest for Life: Afro-Peruvian Rhythms, a Source of Latin Jazz is an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn about Afro-Peruvian roots music. Eve A. Ma serves as host, narrating performances and archival footage or interjecting some exposition when needed.
Lalo Izquierdo plays a large part in this documentary: his qualifications include folklorist, dancer, percussionist, and singer. He discusses the roots of Afro-Peruvian rhythms, dances, and songs at great length at several points through the film and is often featured either playing percussion or dancing in the various cultural exhibitions documented in A Zest For Life.
Eve A. Ma provides a generous amount of information to the viewer as these exhibitions play out on screen, helping to connect the dots between the dances of enslaved people and modern-day music by pointing out similarities in theme, dance, and rhythm.
While only 58 minutes long, A Zest for Life: Afro-Peruvian Rhythms, a Source of Latin Jazz contains a wealth of information and examples of Afro-Peruvian roots music and folk dance. All aspects of historic and present culture are examined and many intersections of identity and happenstance are noted by both Ma and Izquierdo.
Using an Ethno-musicological approach, this documentary lets the culture speak for itself, interjecting only when context or exposition is needed for clarity or to note exemplary phrases of songs or dance movements. While the focus of the documentary is on Afro-Peruvian music and dance, other Afro- and Indigenous dances and music are mentioned. Izquierdo plays out several examples of Afro-Latin rhythm on his Cajon in one segment of the educational documentary.
Izquierdo talks about the decline of traditional culture as well, connecting the disappearance of festivals, dance, and music with the economy and a dire need for those already poor to put food on the table. In a scenario like this, culture slides into the background. This use of expertise and exposition makes this documentary an excellent source of information. This excellent ethnography belongs on Anthropology and Latin Studies library shelves and is highly recommended.
What academic library shelves would this title be on?
A Zest For Life is a must-have for academic libraries and would sit well on ethnography, roots music, and Latin American studies library shelves.