Classical Jazz and Folk
Interviews
Birdsong in Quechua

Considered one of the most important indigenous singers to emerge out of South America over the last 50 years, through her 25 albums Luzmila Carpio has inspired millions while singing in both her native Aymara-Quechua language…

Obituaries
We Love Omar Geles

Omar Geles was one of Colombia's most important Vallenato singers and musicians and the most prolific composer of his generation. His band Los Diablitos, which he formed with Miguel Morales, produced a string of hits in the…

In-depth Interviews
The Sound of Healing: An Interview with Nicaraguan singer Ceshia Ubau 

With her award-winning album 'Luz' and a plethora of singles - 'Para Mi', 'Melodia Sagrada', 'Marzo 2020' and 'Caminar' - pre-selected for this year’s Latin Grammy Awards,…

In-depth Interviews
HEARTSONGS

Lila Downs is back – with not one but Dos Corazones – a new song which she will be debuting live in London this this month.  She tells Elizabeth Mistry how her first UK visit in eight years will be an opportunity to talk about…

In-depth Interviews
WHAT MEXICO IS

Often accused of glorifying violence, Norteño legends Los Tigres del Norte have caused controversy and divided opinion with their musical “story-telling”. Yet there is no denying the huge impact that this highly influential…

Things That Matter To
Things That Matter to…Sara Correia

Widely regarded around the world as one of Fado music’s fastest rising stars, Portuguese singer Sara Correia’s profile has continued to rise sharply this year following the release of her acclaimed third studio album '…

Things That Matter To
Things That Matter to…Harold Lopez Nussa

Recently signed to Blue Note Records, Harold started piano when he was eight years old in Havana, Cuba. After graduating from the Instituto Superior de Artes, he toured with Omara Portuondo and in 2003, worked with the Cuban…

Things That Matter To
Things That Matter to...Alfredo Rodríguez

Widely considered to be one of the most gifted and exciting jazz pianists of his generation, Alfredo Rodríguez’s high-octane, warm and joyous musicianship won him at first the mentorship of Quincy Jones then a Grammy nomination.…

In-depth Interviews
Prodigious Child 

Silvana Estrada grew up in rural Mexico in a home where music and instruments were made; both of her parents are luthiers. She was raised singing Mexican son jarocho before studying jazz and absorbing the music of the likes of…

Things That Matter To
Things That Matter to…Susana Baca

Three-time Latin Grammy winner, Susana Baca is Peru’s most internationally renowned artist, who shone a light on the previously little known world of Afro-Peruvian rythmns. In 2021, she marked the 50th year of her career with the…

In-depth Interviews
A Megaphone for Peru's Musical Wealth

One of Peru's most groundbreaking bands, with a trajectory of almost 40 years, PeruJazz has germinated the fusion between traditional and contemporary, folkloric and urban, the cajón and the saxophone. Drawing inspiration…

Spotlight on...
The Global Adventures of Paquito D’Rivera

From child prodege in Havana to one of the greatest Latin jazz artists of our times, we pay tribute to the great Cuban musician and all round renaissance man.

In-depth Interviews
Odd One Out

Hailed as one of the most promising jazz musicians of her generation, Chilean saxophonist Melissa Aldana is somewhat of an anomoly. Amaranta Wright meets Blue Note’s latest signing and discovers an incredible journey from a…

In-depth Interviews
Uncovering B.Léza - Cesaria Evora’s songwriter

Few people had heard of Cabo Verde, an arc of islands off the coast of Senegal, until Cesária Évora put them on the map. B. Leza is one of the most important composers in the history of Cabo Verde, and anyone who knows Cesária…

In-depth Interviews
Baroque Cubana: The Extraordinary Story of Gabriela Mulen

Gabriel Mulen is a charismatic young musician from one of Old Havana’s most iconic Afrocuban neighbourhoods who combines a career as one of only two professional organists in Havana - playing organ and harpsichord in two Early…

Obituaries
We Love Charlie Palmieri (1927-1988)

Pianist, organist, composer, arranger, bandleader and educator, Charlie Palmieri, Eddie’s older brother was one of the fundamental players in the development of Latin music in NY. His virtuosity and love for his art drove Charlie…

Obituaries
Remembering Rafael Escalona, composer (1927 - 2009)

Rafael Escalona was one of Colombia's most important musical lyricists and composers, revolutionising Colombia's vallenato tradition, modernizing the music's rough, accordion-based sound via the addition of vividly…

Fantasy Island Tracks
Susana Baca's Fantasy Island Tracks

If you were stranded on a desert island, which tracks would you absolutely need to get you through those times of despair? Our castaway this month is Susana Baca, the greatest international exponent of Afro-Peruvian music, having…

Things That Matter To
Things That Matter to...Luiz Morais

Composer, arranger and 7-string guitarist Luiz Morais was born in Fortaleza, Brazil. Based in London since 201, the 32 year-old Brazilian is a unique voice in contemporary Jazz guitar and a virtuoso performer. Graduated in…

Obituaries
Facundo Cabral - Argentine singer-songwriter, philosopher and writer (1937 - 2011)

Described as a ‘worldwide messenger of peace’ by the United Nations, and a voice of protest against Argentina’s military dictatorship from 1976 to 1982, Cabral remains one of Latin America’s most celebrated folk musicians.

Surrogate Latinos
Surrogate Latina #8: Ana Csergö, leader of Las Adelitas

From Back To Black to the Green, White and Red of Mexico's national colours, Las Adelitas is headlining this year's Mexico's Independence Day celebrations in London. Named after the brave women who took up arms…

Things That Matter To
Things That Matter to...Amaro Freitas

From the slums of Recife in Brazil's North-East to international jazz icon, Amaro Freitas has earned the music world's attention for "an approach to the keyboard so unique that it's startling" (Downbeat…

Features
Diaspora Music: Venezuela

In recent years, there’s been a lot of talk of the global domination of Latin Music. A big contributor to this phenomenon has been the Latin diaspora - artists making music outside their countries. In this first feature of our…

Surrogate Latinos
Surrogate Latino #7: Miguel Muziq, Latin Jazz Guitarist

Guitarist, songwriter, and producer, Miguel Muziq is a new force to be reckoned with on the Latin Jazz scene. His production/remixing credits include Usher and Kelly Rowland, now Miguel’s debut album “An Angel’s Healing” finally…

Surrogate Latinos
Surrogate Latino #6: Jonny Liebeck, Latin Jazz Pianist and Bandleader

Jonny impressed us so much with his Latin soul/jazz/funk quartet at last year's London Latin Music Conference. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and Trinity Laban, the young Liebeck is quickly making a name for…

Features
A Brief History of Latin Music in London

Notwithstanding the cheesy album covers and the pastiche distortions of Latin dance on BBC’s Strictly’, London has had a long and idiosyncratic affair with Latin culture. From the hi-flying success of Edmundo Ros’ Latin Big Band…

Things You Should Know About...
Latin Jazz Next Gen

Unlike other music, Jazz musicians get better with age. In Jazz linguistics, at 40, you’re a toddler just starting to talk! The following artists have pricked up our ears with their exciting new sounds. Both blessed and burdened…

Fantasy Island Tracks
Tino Contreras' Fantasy Island Tracks

Our castaway this month is Tino Contreras the master Mexican jazz drummer who for more than six decades has melded Latin influences with free jazz, psychedelia, avant-garde experimentation, and global sounds. Born in 1924, Tino…

Obituaries
One Hundred Years of Nostalgia: The Great Astor Piazzolla

One hundred years ago today Astor Piazzolla one of the world’s most admired composers and musicians in the world, was born. A man whose transcended borders and revolutionised tango music forever. To this day his towering…

In-depth Interviews
“The Birth of Latin Jazz was simultaneous to the Birth of Jazz”

Associate Professor of Music at Columbia University, Chris Washburne is one of the world’s leading academics on both jazz and Latin music and a respected musician in his own right, having played with many of the artists he writes…

Obituaries
Remembering, Mongo Santamaría, Cuban Percussionist (1917-2003)

Mongo Santamaria is arguably the best Conguero ever! Part of that generation of Cuban percussionists who emigrated to the States in the 40s and 50s, Mongo had a fantastic career, recording crossover hits, releasing critically…

Obituaries
Remembering Amalia Rodrigues, Fado singer (1939-1999)

One of Portugal’s most beloved music stars, Amalia Rodrigues held the heart of a nation for more than 50 years, singing in the style of one of her country’s most enduring folk music traditions, fado.

Things You Should Know About...
Things You Should Know About...Latin Jazz pioneers

Latin Jazz or Jazz Latino…the Latino “tinge” was part of American Jazz DNA from day one but somehow has been, at best, perceived as a sub-genre or, at worst, erased from history books. When Cuban musicians arrived in Harlem in…

Latin Londoners
Latin Londoner #33: Natalia Luisbassa, Conductor

Coming up through Venezuela's world famous El Sistema, Natalia became the first person to obtain a degree in Orchestral Conducting in Venezuela. She completed her postgraduate studies at the Royal College of Music (RCM) in…

Obituaries
Victor Jara, Singer-songwriter (1932-1973)

Victor Jara was a popular folk singer in Chile, who was tortured and murdered in 1973 by the military coup led by Augusto PInochet. Ever since, the man and his music has been an inspiration for millions across the world. Almost…

Recent Music

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november
Urban
THE NOVEMEBER REGGAETON RECAP

As our noses turn red and our cheeks turn rosy, artists are still showing up and showing out to…

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luzmila
Classical Jazz and Folk
Birdsong in Quechua

Considered one of the most important indigenous singers to emerge out of South America over the…

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october
Urban
THE OCTOBER REGGAETON RECAP

It’s hard to tell what’s dropping faster, the leaves from the trees or the singles and albums from…

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Ballads and Boleros
LatinoLife's Favourite Mexican Male Singers of all Time

Since the days when Mexico was a serious rival to Hollywood in terms of film production and quality…

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Urban
Top 10 Female Reggaeton Artists

We may have come a long way since the days of overt misogyny in Urban Latin Music, but the industry…

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Urban
TOP 10 Latin Hip Hop Artists

Dominated by Caribbean talent - from Venezuela and Puerto Rico to Cuba and the Dominican Republic…