Instructor
Professor Michael Davison, Department of Music
Academic Year(s) Offered
2010 - 2011
Overview
The students will explore the genealogy of shared rhythms between Cuba and the United States and understand the beginnings and musical transformation of Afro-Cuban music and American jazz into Latin jazz and salsa. Once the musical style is understood, we will listen to Latin jazz (salsa) groups in the Richmond area to understand not only the history (and sound) of Latin jazz in Richmond, but interact with the players. The students will deliver a questionnaire about the music and background of each musical group. No musical background is necessary.
Possible Readings
Cuba: Rhythm in Motion (a documentary by Professor Davison)
Sounding Salsa: Performing Latin Music in New York City (Chrisopher Washburne, 2008)
Situating Salsa: Global Markets and Local Meanin in Latin Popular Music (edited by Lise Waxer, 2002)
Cuban Fire: The Story of Salsa and Latin Jazz (Isabelle Leymarie, 2002)
Essays on Cuban Music: North American and Cuban Perspectives (edited by Peter Manuel, 1991)
Possible Group Activities
Groups will use oral histories and video to produce documentaries of the musicians and their music. If the State Department permits it, the class will go to Cuba on spring break in 2011. Travel to Cuba for students groups and academic purposes has been restricted but restrictions are expected to be removed in the next year.
