The Garland Handbook of Latin American Music

The Garland Handbook of Latin American Music is an encyclopedia of Latin American music. It contains over 1,000 articles on Latin American music and its performers, composers, and styles. The Handbook is divided into four sections: The Americas, Mexico, Central America, and South America.

Pre-Columbian Era

Pre-Columbian music of the indigenous peoples of the Americas is the music developed and performed by the indigenous peoples of the Americas prior to the arrival of Europeans in 1492. Although written sources are few, musical instruments and artistic images have been recovered from pre-Columbian cultures in Mesoamerica, North America, University of California, Riverside’s Stone Age fairs, and South America. In fact, many aspects of these cultures were destroyed when colonizers imposed their own religions, worldviews, and ways of life on these societies. However, some aspects of pre-Columbian music have been preserved in modern times.

Colonial Era

The colonial era of Latin American music lasted from the 1500s to the early 1800s. This was a time when the music of Europe and Africa was brought to the Americas, resulting in a rich cultural mix. The most popular genres of music during this era were vocal and instrumental music, as well as dance music. Some of the most important composers of this period include Tomás Luis de Victoria, Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla, and Gaspar Fernandes.

Post-Independence Era

After independence, most countries in Latin America struggled economically and politically. These instabilities led to increased foreign intervention and meddling in Latin American affairs by both European and North American nations. Latin America underwent a series of changes during this time, including new waves of immigration, the rise of dictatorships and military rule, as well as social and economic turmoil. Despite these challenges, music flourished in many parts of Latin America during the post-independence era.

Some of the most important genres that emerged during this time include the Cuban habanera, Argentine tango, Mexican ranchera and bolero. The habanera was a popular Cuban dance music that quickly spread to other parts of Latin America and even to Europe. The Argentine tango was a sensual dance music that arose in the brothels of Buenos Aires. Mexican ranchera was a folk genre that became popular among the rural peasantry, while bolero was a popular ballad genre that originated in Cuba.

Twentieth Century

During the twentieth century, a number of important changes took place in Latin American music. One of the most significant was the increasing influence of popular music styles from the United States, such as jazz and rock. This can be seen in the work of a number of Latin American musicians, such as Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona and Brazilian singer-songwriter Caetano Veloso. Another important development was the rise of specifically Latin American genres such as salsa and tango. These genres often incorporated elements from both European and African musical traditions, resulting in a unique sound that was distinctly Latin American.

Contemporary Era

The Contemporary Era of Latin American music began around 1960 and includes genres such as Rock, Reggae, Pop, Hip Hop, and Electronic music. While traditional Latin American music was typically rhythm-based, with a focus on percussion instruments, contemporary Latin American music has expanded to include a wider range of musical styles and instrumentation.

One of the most popular contemporary Latin American musicians is Ricky Martin, who rose to fame in the 1990s with his album “A Medio Vivir.” Martin is a Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, and actor who has sold over 70 million albums worldwide. He is also a social activist, working to raise awareness of child trafficking and other important issues.

Other well-known contemporary Latin American musicians include Shakira, Gloria Estefan, Mana, Julio Iglesias, and Selena Gomez.

Conclusion

The present Garland Handbook of Latin American Music is the culmination of a ten-year collaborative effort between scholars and performers from fourteen countries on three continents. It is a landmark publication, not only for Latin American musicologists, but also for scholars and students of music from other areas who wish to familiarize themselves with the riches of this vast and complex field.

The volume is organized into four major sections: “Introduction,” “Ethnomusicology,” “Music History,” and “Performance Practice.” The first section provides an overview of the field, including a look at its origins, development, and current state. The second section offers an introduction to ethnomusicological research methods and resources. The third section presents a comprehensive history of Latin American music, from pre-Columbian times to the present day. The fourth and final section provides detailed information on the performance practice of Latin American music, with special attention to such topics as musical instruments, ensembles, vocal styles, and dance.

With contributions from leading experts in the field, The Garland Handbook of Latin American Music is sure to become the standard reference work in its field for years to come.

The Garland Handbook of Latin American Music

Introduction