Latino Music 1 Chapter 11 Tito Puente Biographical Notes 2 Early Life Born in the barrio of Spanish Harlem in 1923 to Puerto Rican immigrants. Grew up there, absorbing myriad influences of trad. Puerto Rican music, Afro- Cuban music, American popular song, jazz, big band swing, Western art music Musical Training Learned big band drumming Joined Machito’s orchestra – learned how to play Cuban popular rhythms Acquainted himself with Afro-Cuban culture Formally trained in Western art music (studied at Julliard); could fluently read music Early Band Experience Joined Machito and the Afro-Cubans in 1942 Drafted into U.S. Navy; played drums & saxophone with the Navy band Mambo King Informal rivalry between Puente, Machito and Tito Rodríguez. 3 Began in 1949 with Pérez Prado’s first big hit, “Mambo #5”, launching the so- called mambo craze of the 1950s. Epicenter of all this was the Palladium Ballroom in New York City Original “Oye Como Va” His most popular song (originally a cha cha chá) From his 1963 album El Rey Bravo Santana’s “Oye Como Va” and Tito Puente Released in 1970 on the album Abraxas; the album sold millions of copies This is a rock-infused cover version that rose to #13 on the Billboard rock chart - it far surpassed the popularity of the original. Tito Puente made more money (far more) thanks to royalties from Santana’s cover than he did from any of his own recordings. It also revitalized his career at a time when Latin music in general (and Cuban music particular) was on the wane. King of Salsa Salsa was a 1970s New York “invention” of an Afro-Cuban dance form that is 4 virtually identical to son. Salsa was something of a marketing gimmick to create a phrase that was more catchy than saying “Latin dance music”. Puente was reconfigured as the “king” of salsa; he didn’t have much use for the term but he recognized its promotional value! Puente as Pan-Latino icon Pan-Latino identity: recognizing uniqueness of different Latino nationalities and cultures while building bridges between them. Puente was held up as a unifying symbol: Puerto Rican, Newyorican, master of Cuban music, innovator of Latin music, musical traditionalist (remember his Julliard training?), musical experimenter, entrepreneur, WWII veteran. Later Years Although he inspired other musicians and activists to politically engage, Puente was not very politically active. Musically, he continued to adapt to each era. His music took on a more multicultural than a nationalistic course The Roots of Latin Dance Music 5 Briefly discuss the early history of Spanish colonization of Cuba. Columbus and Spanish fleet land on island, 1492 Amerindian people, such as the Taino, are all but wiped out during conquest Spanish settlers began arriving in Cuba in 1511 and established large sugar cane plantations. They forced African slaves, an estimated 5,000,000 in all, to work the plantations. Majority were either Yoruba or Congolese. Most arrived between 1790 and 1860 (much later than counterparts in British colonies). What two types of traditional, neo-African music developed in Cuba? ritual drumming associated with Afro-Cuban religion of Santería traditionally performed on a set of three drums (low, medium, high pitched) called a batá. Stringed bells are attached to lowest-pitched drum. Style of playing is intricate, interlocking, complex polyrhythms. Lead drummer improvises, other two drummer play ostinatos secular, social dance music of traditional Cuban rumba also uses set of three drums (low, medium, high pitched) played in a complex, 6 polyrhythmic style. Modern conga drums are descendants of the original rumba drums (ngoma). Claves play the characteristic rhythms, singers perform call and response and there is usually dancing. Turn to p. 224 and listen to the following four clave rhythms. How did these forms influence the development of Latin dance music? Santería promoted a flourishing of neo-African music in Cuba. Rumba, particularly with the clave rhythm, established the foundation for most Cuban dance music. List the characteristic features of rhythm, form, and instrumentation in each and compare/contrast the two styles. Santería example Rumba example Define creolized dance-music styles. blending of musical elements of Spanish and West African derivation Identify and describe several major dance-music forms. Contradanza (no description) 7 Danzón: essentially becomes the national dance of Cuba and eventually evolves into the Danzón-Mambo (a highly Afro-Cubanized version of the original danzón) and the Cha Cha Chá. The cha cha chá was actually created to appeal to non-Cuban dancers, especially Americans, since it was easier to hear/feel the beat and its tempo was a bit more relaxed. Discuss how these creolized dance-music styles became important symbols of the emergent Cuban national identity. This music’s popularity grew at the same time that anti-Spanish rule sentiment was growing. The music symbolized an identity in which whites, blacks and mulattos all had a place. The fact that this music was becoming internationally popular was also a tremendous source of pride. What is the instrumentation of the charanga ensemble that typically performed danzón music? wooden flute, two (or more) violins, piano, string bass, guiro, pair of drums (forerunners of the modern timbales). Maracas were also often used. Which elements of Afro-Cubanization were present in the danzón-mambo? Include discussion of instrumentation, rhythms, textures, etc. 8 Use of conga drums, complex and syncopated rhythms, layered ostinatos (within the mambo sections, violins would play ostinato figures along with traditional rhythm instruments) Soaring, improvised flute solos were another element. How did these influence later styles of music and ensembles? directly influenced the most successful and influential Latin dance-music phenomena of the early 1950s, big band mambo and cha cha chá. Musical Guided 9 Tour
Latin Percussion Rhythms of the Cha Cha Chá, 227
Audio Musical Guided Tour “El Bodeguero,” Grupo Cimarrón de Cuba 10 Listen to a contemporary version of Jorrin’s “El Bodeguero,” noting use of these clear rhythms, moderate tempo, and use of singing. Big Band Mambo 11 Big band instrumentation Adopted/adapted from model of American big band swing and jazz. Typical lineup included 2 to 5 players each on trumpet, trombone, saxophone; plus piano, bass and 3 or more percussionists (with singers possibly, depending on the arrangement). Percussion section features 3 types of drums used in Cuban son bands: timbales, conga drums, bongo drums, as well as other Latin American idiophones (cowbells, claves, güiro, maracas, etc.) Musical texture featuring layered ostinatos throughout the band All instrumentalists were assigned short, recurring patterns (ostinatos, or riffs), 12 repeated over and over, often with variations, layered one atop the other during the course of a mambo arrangement. Reflective of earlier Cuban son and danzón-mambo styles – created a tight, composite rhythm Driving, Afro-Cuban percussion rhythms Syncopated, interlocking rhythms, all growing from the root rhythm of the clave; reflecting the characteristic Cuban rhythmic styles of rumba and son. Jazz influences Reflected in harmonies (chords and chord progressions), rhythms, and arrangements of mambos, as well as highlighting of extended, improvised instrumental solos. Fast tempos and highly energetic playing Mambos tempos were upbeat and music was exciting, energetic and eminently danceable (though not easy to dance to) Absence, or at least limited use, of singing Little emphasis on singing and song texts (unlike the son). Any singing that existed usually consisted of short, often meaningless vocal interjections. This enabled mambo to appeal to Latino and non-Latino audiences alike. “Sambia,” Machito and the Afro-Cubans 13 0:00 - 0:19 Jazz-inspired introduction 0:19 - 0:26 Saxophones present a riff 0:27 - 0:35 Saxophones repeat it with trumpets and trombones “answering” phrases in call-and-response fashion 0:36 - 0:52 Intricate texture of layered riffs created by saxes, trumpets and trombones together
Tito Puente: “Mambo Gozon” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un5vmaN3LMM
Comparisons . “Sambia” vs. “El Bodeguero” - note differences in rhythmic features and instrumentation. . “Sambia” vs. “Amapola” by Xavier Cugat - Do you agree or disagree with the categorization of Cugat’s sound as “watered-down”? Why or why not? . How does “Babalu” by Desi Arnaz compare to these other works? “Oye Como Va,” Tito Puente
14 Discuss the multicultural upbringing and eclectic musical background that shaped Puente’s identity. Discussed at beginning of chapter study. Describe the role of the Palladium Ballroom in the development of Latino music in the 1950s and 1960s. The major bands played there, battling for supremacy as each tried to outdo each other. The other very important role the Palladium played was in multicultural interaction. In a time of segregation, the Palladium was a place where ethnic and racial barriers melted on the dance floor. Although “Oye Como Va” may be considered a cha cha chá, what characteristics differ from the standard cha cha chá as described earlier in this chapter? Slightly faster tempo; funky, syncopated rhythm; big band instrumentation; minor key; harmonized vocals “Oye Como Va,” Tito Puente
15 Clap or chant the underlying rhythmic ostinato “by ear” or by using the representation below: Take care to match articulation.
Clap or chant the signature unison figure “Oye Como Va,” Tito Puente 0:00—0:45 Syncopated organ riff over straight cha cha chá rhythm (played by 16 Introduction sticks & hand claps) (instrumental) 0:15 - Full percussion section (playing cha cha chá rhythm) and horn section (doubling organ riff) 0:23 - Flute takes main melody (charanga-esque) 0:38 - Signature unison figure 0:46—1:04 “Oye Como Va” tune sung by group of male singers (unison/harmo- Singing of main tune, nized vocal texture; 1st time 1:01 - Partial return of signature unison figure 1:05—1:55 1:05 - Sax riff 1st mambo section 1:20 - Trombone riff (Mambo I) 1:36 - Trumpet riff 1:51 - Another partial return of signature unison figure 1:56—2:18 As before, but ends w/big instrumental crescendo (2:11) leading up to Singing of main tune, 2nd mambo section 2nd time 2:19-End More syncopated and complexly related horn riffs than in Mambo I; 2nd mambo section building intensity. Flute, vocal shouts, and whistling create partylike (Mambo II) atmosphere. 3:06 - Excerpt concludes with full statement of signature unison figure “Oye Como Va,” Santana What are the basic musical features of Puente’s “Oye Como Va” (1963) that remained 17 intact in Santana’s recording? • The “Oye Como Va” tune itself • The key (A minor) • The tempo • Simple on-line, Spanish-language song text • Singing style (unison/harmonized vocal texture; group of male singers) • Underlying cha cha chá groove • Basic sequence of the arrangement Identify areas in which Santana’s version differs from Puente’s. • Absence of solo flute part and horn section - both are essentially replaced by and/or absorbed into Carlos Santana’s rock- and blues-inspired electric guitar playing. • Embellishment of the traditional cha cha chá rhythmic groove with rock-style drumming (played on drumset) • Prominent role of Hammond B-3 electronic organ as a solo instrument and the heavily rock- and blues-influenced style of the improvised organ solo • Substitution of the horn riff-dominated mambo sections of the Puente original by improvised electric guitar and Hammond B-3 organ solos in the Santana arrangement. “Oye Como Va,” Santana
18 Review: Clap or chant the underlying rhythmic ostinato “by ear” or by using the representation below: Take care to match articulation.
Review: Clap or chant the signature unison figure “Oye Como Va,” Santana 0:00—0:37 Opens with standard “Oye” organ riff (as in Puente original), but Hammond B-3 organ 19 Introduction timbre is quite different; no clicked stick/clapping groove; bass part is more prominent. 0:08 - Standard cha cha chá groove established with percussion entry; no horns. Opening flute melody is played on electric guitar (by Carlos Santana); bluesy embellishments give music a different character. 0:30 - Signature unison figure 0:38—0:56 Singing is similar to Puente original; vocal timbre is different Singing of main tune, 0:53 - Partial return of signature unison figure first time 0:57—1:44 Electronic distortion enhances basic timbre of instrument st First improvised solo Replaces 1 mambo section of the Puente original (electric guitar) Though horn section is absent, Carlos Santana’s guitar solo is built mainly from lines adapted from the original Puente horn riffs; bluesy riffs are added at ends of phrases. Percussion instruments played more freely here than in Puente original and has more of a rock feel, though the cha cha chá groove still rules 1:45—2:07 Return to opening organ riff Interlude/Transition # 1 1:53 - Contrasting section: very different mood & style 2:04 - Dramatic crescendo “Oye Como Va,” Santana 2:07—2:47 Played by Gregg Rolie; distinctive timbre of Hammond B-3 is quite noticeable 20 Second improvised solo Replaces 2nd mambo section of Puente arrangement (Hammond B-3 Rolie immediately rips into a heavy, rock- and blues-style solo that takes the piece far electronic organ) from its Latin roots and into new musical territory. 2:48—2:58 Shorter than first Interlude/Transition section Interlude/Transition #2 2:56 - Partial return of signature unison figure 2:59—3:21 Sung as before Singing of main tune, 3:14 - Singing followed by an extended crescendo build-up second time 3:22—End Begins like the first solo, but then ventures further into rock-blues; as solo progresses, Third improvised solo Santana fluidly shifts back and forth between Latin, rock and blues styles, effectively (electric guitar) blending the disparate stylistic elements. 4:06 - Full signature unison figure Building Pan-Latino Identity Through Music How did Puente respond to the overwhelming success of Santana’s recording of “Oye Como Va”? 21 How did the success of Santana’s “Oye Como Va” rekindle interest in, and the commercial viability of, Latin dance music? What impact did this have on the career of Tito Puente? How did the rise of salsa reinvigorate the career of Tito Puente? What was his opinion of the term “salsa”? Where did salsa music originate and what were its musical roots? Discuss the musical and social legacies of Puente, Santana, and the song “Oye Como Va” as they relate to the rise of pan-Latino identity. Include political and social activism and the spread of pan- Latino identity to diasporic Latino communities. Describe the joining of musical artistry and sociopolitical activism embodied in the work of Panamanian musician, lawyer, actor, and politician Ruben Blades. Has parlayed his entertainment fame into political capital. He describes his music as “thinking persons’ dance music”, as much of his lyrics include insightful social commentary. In addition to appearing in TV shows and film, he has run for president in his native Panama and served as that nation’s minister of tourism (2004-2009). He has a master’s degree in international law from Harvard and has earned eight Grammy awards and five Latin Grammies. He received the Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award in 2011. “Oye Como Va,” Tito Puente Jr. Name several of the contemporary styles Tito Puente Jr. blends with mambo, cha 22 cha chá, and merengue to create the sounds of Latin Dance. Pop, rock, hip-hop, techno, Latin pop How does Puente Jr. transform the rhythmic groove and other features of his father’s and Santana’s versions of “Oye Como Va”? Identify specific instances of synthesizing and digitally altering instruments and rhythms. Replacing original instruments (trad. Latin percussion instruments, mambo horn section, Hammond B-3 organ) with synthesized or digitally sampled versions Cha cha chá groove is embellished with off-beat eighth-note rhythm; it then undergoes more manipulations in a more funky and technoesque direction A new melody is added as a counterpoint to the original main tune “Oye Como Va,” Tito Puente Jr. 0:00—0:06 Begins with standard “Oye” riff, this time in the form of a heavily 23 Introduction processed digital sample of the Santana Hammond B-3 organ (this version is a half step lower than the original & Santana versions). Electronically processed güiro timbre, with other digitally sampled and synthesized Latin percussion sounds 0:07—0:24 Standard singing style; electronically enhanced cha cha chá groove Singing of main tune, (esp. from 0:15) first time 0:22 - Partial statement of signature unison figure 0:25—0:43 Melodic material from horn riffs of Puente, Sr.’s original version (with First Mambo Section some bluesy embellishments à la Santana); shorter, simpler riffs and use of synthesizer timbres in place of actual horns. Partial statement of signature unison figure 0:39-0:43 - Call-and-response vocal exclamation “Everybody say WHOA-paaa!” laid over top as groove continues underneath 0:44—1:05 Off-beat electronic hi-hat cymbal rhythm (like at 0:15) fortifies cha Singing of main tune, cha chá groove; some solo timbales improvisation second time 0:58 - Return of signature unison figure “Oye Como Va,” Tito Puente Jr. 1:06-2:17 Cha cha chá groove radically transformed by funky, electronic 24 Funk/cha cha chá percussion/bass groove section 1:19 - New melody (“Ritmo Latino”) introduced by female vocalist, La India 1:35 - Funk/cha cha chá version of “Oye” melody; syncopated interjections by La India between phrases 1:49 - Mambo-like riffs from synthesized “horns”, male singers; La India continues 2:04 - Short, improvised timbales solo 2:11 - Signature unison figure 2:18 Contrast New bass synthesizer ostinato 2:25 Main tune Heavy, steady-beat bass drum pattern under return of main tune 2:33 - Brief texture change 2:44 - end Improvised timbales solo (Tito Puente, Sr.) Music builds to climactic unison ending, based on crescendo build-up heard in original and Santana versions. Whirlwind Survey 25 Brazil Portuguese Samba Diverse styles, all with African musicultural roots Common features: Percussion instruments Driving rhythms Polyrhythmic textures Call-and-response Improvisational elements Samba-enredo (theme samba) – Carnaval, Rio de Janeiro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTc3pv7d5vY Batucada https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQLvGghaDbE Bossa Nova 26 South Zone of Rio Mainly middle-class, white Samba from favelas surrounding city Antonio Carlos (Tom) Jobim, Joao and Astrud Gilberto, Stan Getz 1964—Getz/Gilberto – “Girl from Ipanema” Batida guitar style (Gilberto) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5QfXjsoNe4 Laid-back vocals influenced by Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan Paul Desmond Quartet “Wave” (Jobim) -- 1974 Cannibalism 27 Post-1964 “period of crisis” in Brazil Military coup and subsequent totalitarian regime (US supported) Beatlemania/British invasion Cannibalist Manifesto (Oswald de Andrade – 1928) Lorraine Leu: Manifesto “attacked both a purist view of national culture and wholesale imitation of foreign models….advocated a selective devouring of elements of foreign culture which would then be absorbed and transformed into Brazilian cultural products.” The "Manifesto" has often been interpreted as an essay and it is said that its argument is that Brazil's history of "cannibalizing" other cultures is its greatest strength, while playing on the modernists' primitivist interest in cannibalism as an alleged tribal rite. Cannibalism becomes a way for Brazil to assert itself against European post-colonial cultural domination. Tropicália
28 One musical outcome: tropicália Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil Veloso: “By using electric guitars in melodic compositions with elements of Argentine tango and African things from Bahia, we assumed a posture of ‘being-in-the world’—we rejected the role of the Third World country living in the shadow of more developed countries.” Os Mutantes -- “A Minha Menina” Mini-documentary: Argentina 29 Tango Argentina (Buenos Aires), Uruguay Dance: “vertical expression of a horizontal desire” Emerged in the tough, poor, ethnically mixed port district of Buenos Aires among the porteños.
“Golden Age” of tango, 1920s-30s Carlos Gardél “Cuesta Abajo” Nuevo Tango 30 Astor Piazzolla Bandonéon Perfomed with Gardel, etc. Studied composition in Paris with Nadia Boulanger Nuevo tango style: tango, jazz, new music synthesis Yo-Yo Ma group performing Piazzolla’s “Libertango”
“Whiskey”
“Libertango” – Moscow Philharmonic, tango dancers Andean Panpipes
31 Andes: Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador
Ayllu performance, jula jula, Bolivian Andes Folkoric – “Ratita” Ukamau
Andean folkloric/pop: “El Condor Pasa”
Simon & Garfunkel “El Condor Pasa/If I Could” (Los Incas) [“I’d Rather be a Hammer…”] Mariachi 32 “Cielito Lindo” Stereotyping (Frito Bandito) Mariachi in Los Angeles Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano
Linda Ronstadt Canciones de Mi Padre Steel Band
33 Trinidad and Tobago Steelpan (pan, steel drum, steel band) 55-gallon oil drums Afro-Trinidadian innovation (post WW II)
Carnival Like Carnaval in Brazil, associated with Pre-Lenten celebrations (also Mardi Gras, New Orleans) Panorama competition A Synthesis of Ideas
34 “Missa Criolla” by Ariel Ramirez Ramirez, prolific composer from Argentina, wrote this work in 1964 Combined folk elements of his native Argentina with Andean music and European classical traditions. Text is in Spanish, rather than the traditional Latin Uses instruments indigenous to Latin America, as well as instruments adapted to Latin American folk music