Cuban Fire

[Mark Kleinhaut]

A book called "Cuban Fire, the Story of Salsa and Latin Jazz" by Isabelle Leymarie. http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0826455867.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

I just picked it up today. Has anyone else read this book?

[Chazro]

Wazzup Mark!

Never heard of the book, so please be sure to follow up with some kind of review. Personally, it kind of grates on my nerves when I hear about Cuba as the beginning and end of Latin Jazz and Salsa. I've read interviews with certain Cuban musicians, Arturo Sandoval for instance, who actually gets pissed when the word Salsa is used saying that it's basically a rip-off of The Cuban music form known as Son. While I'd never downplay the enormous influence Cuba had in the development of Latin Jazz and Salsa it's ludicrous to ignore all the other factors that make up it's rich history, in particular the contribution of Puerto Rico and New York during the formative years of Salsa. Going off on a tangent, currently I feel it's a gross oversight to not recognize the fertile Salsa/Latin jazz scene that's been happening on the West Coast for decades. Many have commented on the many exclusions of certain artists and categories in Ken Burns Jazz documentary. Similarly, I always felt that as amazing as the Latin Jazz documentary; Calle 54 was, the absence of any mention of the California-based John Santos/Pete Escovedo extended family/school of artists was a glaring omission.

Anyhow, I'm looking forward to hear your opinion of the book!

[T~AndrewB~Bone]

I heard of a CD by the title of Cuban Fire by Stan Kenton, I think. Not totally sure bout that, but it sounds about right.