Description: Latin jazz is a genre that blends traditional Latin American rhythms and instrumentation with elements of jazz music. It emerged in the early 20th century, primarily in the United States, as musicians of Latin American descent began incorporating Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and other Latin rhythms into their jazz compositions and performances. Latin jazz typically features syncopated rhythms, intricate percussion patterns, and improvisation, much like traditional jazz. However, it often incorporates instruments like congas, bongos, timbales, and other percussion instruments commonly found in Latin music traditions. Artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, and Machito were instrumental in popularizing Latin jazz in the mid-20th century. The genre continues to evolve, with contemporary artists infusing it with influences from various Latin American styles, modern jazz, and other genres, keeping Latin jazz vibrant and diverse.
