Top American Latin Jazz and Salsa Bands at Barbican’s Latin Music USA

The Big 3 Palladium Orchestra, featuring Machito Jr, Jimmy Bosch, Tito Rodriguez Jr, and Larry Harlow; and La Excelencia will perform at Barbican in London on January 24 at 7.30 pm. The concert is produced by the Barbican in association with BBC4.

Latin Music USA is a groundbreaking series for BBC Four which describes Latin music’s profound and deep impact on the United States’ musical and social landscape and its promotion of the struggles and achievements of immigrants as they moved from the margins to the mainstream of American society. It was filmed across North America and the Caribbean and features the finest Latin musicians, musical performances and previously unseen archive.

Moving from the influence of Cuban immigrants and the Afro-Cuban music which enthralled fifties America, it tells the story of how the rhythms of Havana and Puerto Rico were transformed in Seventies New York by a brilliant group of players and the Fania label to create Salsa, now a global music. It also traces the waves of immigration between the USA and Mexico and reveals the dynamic role that Mexican-American music has played.

The final program, The Latin Explosion tells of the impact of Latin Pop on music, business, fashion and media across the Americas, reflecting a new-found power and confidence in the Latin community. Featured artists include Carlos Santana, ‘Cachao’, Dizzy Gillespie, Ruben Blades, Eddie Palmieri, Johnny Pacheco and The Fania, Los Lobos, Linda Ronstadt, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, Shakira and Gloria Estefan.

Recordings available:

• In North America: The Big 3: Live at the Blue Note by Big 3 Palladium Orchestra. Mi Tumbao Social and Salsa con Conciencia by La Excelencia
• In Europe: The Big 3: Live at the Blue Note by Big 3 Palladium Orchestra

Tickets from £15
www.barbican.org.uk