Steel Pan – Dow’s Musical Foundation
Cuban female drum ensemble carries on and creates ancient traditions
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Afro-Chilean Music is Making a Comeback
Afro Chilean music is a genre of music rooted in the African heritage of Chilean people. The music is a blend of African rhythms, indigenous music, and Spanish influences. One of the most popular forms of Afro Chilean music is the cueca, which is the national dance of Chile. The cueca has its roots in […]
Afro-Bolivian Music Styles Delight
One of the most prominent styles of Afro-Bolivian music is Saya. Saya is a rhythmic and energetic dance music that features the use of drums, shakers, and other percussion instruments. The lyrics of Saya often address themes of social and political struggle, as well as spiritual and cultural identity. Another style of Afro-Bolivian music is […]
Afro-Brazilian Music’s Many Colors
Afro-Brazilian music is a diverse and vibrant genre that reflects the rich cultural heritage of Brazil’s African diaspora. It encompasses a range of styles, including samba, bossa nova, forró, maracatu, and capoeira, among others. One of the most famous and influential Afro-Brazilian music styles is samba. Samba originated in the early 20th century in Rio […]
Why Cumbia is Important to Colombian Culture
Cumbia is a popular music and dance style that originated in Colombia’s Caribbean coast and has since spread throughout Latin America. Cumbia is lively, syncopated rhythm and typically played by a group of musicians using instruments such as drums, bass guitar, accordion, and maracas. Cumbia’s roots are the fusion of indigenous, African, and European musical […]
African Syncopation & European Harmonies Meet in the Americas
African polyrhythmic beats and European harmonies met in the Americas in the 16th century and created many musical styles loved by billions of people. The fusion of African syncopation and European harmonies was revolutionary. In the Unites States, the combination of syncopation, harmonies and melodies created Gospel, Blues, Soul, Rhythm & Blue, Rock and Roll, Ragtime, […]
Syncopation – the African Beat
Syncopation is a musical rhythm that accentuates the weak beats or off-beats of a measure. It is a fundamental aspect of many musical styles, including jazz, blues, rock, and Latin music. The history of syncopation can be traced back to the origins of African music and its influence on Western music. African music has long […]
Harmony Blossomed in the 15th & 16th Centuries
Harmony is the simultaneous sounding of two or more notes to create chords and progressions in music. The history of harmony can be traced back to ancient times, with early forms of harmony emerging in various cultures and musical traditions around the world. In Western music, the evolution of harmony can be divided into several […]
Musical Instruments Originating from Africa
The African diaspora has had a profound impact on music around the world, with many musical genres and instruments originating from African cultures. These instruments are used across musical genres, including African music, Afro-Caribbean music, Latin music, jazz, and rock, among others. Here is a sample of musical instruments originating with the African diaspora in […]