Latin Music USA

Narrator Jimmy Smits begins this illuminating look at Latin-American music by noting that Latino performers, whose roots lie primarily in Mexico, Cuba, and Puerto Rico, cover a wide spectrum of genres, and the lack of a single defining style makes their output “as American as the USA.” Written and directed by Daniel McCabe, Jeremy Marre, John J. Valadez, and Adriana Bosch, the four episodes in this PBS production are “Bridges” (which covers the rise of Latin jazz and mambo, and the infiltration of Latin music into rock and R&B), “The Salsa Revolution,” “The Chicano Wave,” and “Divas & Superstars.” The music is plentiful, and the artists provide most of the commentary, while journalists, historians, and ethnomusicologists add cultural and political context. Archival interviews fill in for late musicians such as percussionist Tito Puente, country crooner Freddy Fender, and trumpet player Mario Bauza, who helped to introduce Cuban rhythms to America, inspiring Dizzy Gillespie and countless others. The program also touches on popular Latin-oriented entertainment, like West Side Story and I Love Lucy, and features major contemporary artists, including Willie Colón, Rubén Blades, Linda Ronstadt, Gloria Estefan, members of Los Lobos, and Carlos Santana (who still regrets taking LSD on the day of his coveted Woodstock engagement). DVD extras include extended interviews with reggaetón rapper Daddy Yankee and slain Tejano star Selena's sister and father, as well as a printable viewing guide in English and Spanish. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (K. Fennessy)