sonarium

Jose Lezama Lima, one of most notable Latin American writers used to say: “The only tradition that we, Latin Americans, have is not to have one”.

The Latin American cultures existing prior to the discovery of America were obliterated with the arrival of the conquistadors and their musical traditions are unknown to us today. “Vallenato” is one of the most widely recognised Colombian rhythms. In Vallenato we find the German accordion alongside the African percussion as a reflex ion of the cultural mix that took place in Latin America after the discovery of America.

To Latin Americans today, classical music and the rhythm of Jazz, Afro-Cuban music, which most identify as typical Latin American music, are equally familiar. In many instances to be Latin is associated with “rumba” and Miami and not with the fact that our language derived from Latin.

But what then is the real Latin American music?
The answer to this question doesn’t lie in the past, it is being written today. Thanks to the global village in which we now live, you are able to read these lines and listen to our music. We hope you enjoy it!
- MP Corbin