A new wave of Latina divas is emerging on the world's stage. Make way for Mariana Montalvo of Chile, Brazil's Belô Velloso and Totó La Momposina of Colombia.
All three singers specialize in rootsy yet sophisticated approaches to Latin music, full of acoustic instruments and local traditions. Putumayo Records, a leading world-music label, showcases them on the "Women of Latin America" CD. A corresponding tour, titled "Putumayo Presents Latinas: Women of Latin America," reaches UC Davis' Mondavi Center on Wednesday.
For Montalvo, the trek marks her first tour of the United States. She's ready for North Americans to hear her song.
"I was very scared at the beginning, but the reception of the American audiences is wonderful," she says in a call from a New Mexico hotel. "We are opening a way for them, I think. They don't (usually) hear the kind of Latin music we make, and they appreciate it."
The Latin music styles that sell best with Americans are pop and rock en Español, salsa and such regional Mexican music as banda and ranchera. And those numbers continue to boom. Midyear shipments of Latin music are up 20 percent compared with 2003, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.
Even if they're not pop-oriented or selling tons of records, other Latina singers are still treated like sweethearts by music fans.
Omara Portuondo, the svelte Cuban singer, has maintained a loyal following since appearing in 1997's "Buena Vista Social Club." Her latest CD, "Flor de Amor," was released earlier this year, and she nearly sold out the Mondavi Center in October 2003.
Lila Downs, a native of Oaxaca, Mexico, is a world-music star for her impeccable fusion of Mexican, Mesoamerican and American folk music. Downs' appearance in the movie "Frida" and work on the soundtrack further boosted her popularity.
"There's a lot of talent in the women artists of Latin America," says Dan Storper, the founder of Putumayo Records. "Part of the idea (of the tour) was that there's such a rich diversity of cultures in Latin America. The music is now just making its way to a broader audience. One - or two or three or four - of the artists will break through."
The rhythms that drive "Women of Latin America" include Brazilian bossa novas from Velloso, Colombian cumbias from La Momposina and folksy percussion from Montalvo. Acoustic guitars, the quena flute and a grab bag of drums are all part of the concert's instrumental mix. Lyrics are sung either in Spanish or Portuguese.
"This tour is about the idea of having a powerful and beautiful voice, and at some level representing their culture," Storper says. "Mariana plays music that's lyrical and melodic. Belô is in the realm closer to the popular music of Brazil. The traditions of samba and bossa nova inform her music."
Montalvo's group is a trio that nurtures the intimacy of traditional Chilean music. Her voice is soothing enough for lullabies, and the music is lush with airy flute melodies and gentle picking on the guitar-like jarana.
"The south of Latin America is very different from the Caribbean," Montalvo says. "Our country is much colder and we're more serious, I think. There's not a lot of chords (in the music). It's not as sophisticated as Brazilian music. It's very acoustic and very intimate. But we don't make sad music."
Montalvo's lyrics sometimes sting behind all the serenity. Her music is influenced by the "nueva canción" ("new song") tradition, a form of protest music developed by South American singer-songwriters in the 1960s and 1970s.
Many of the tunes addressed governmental corruption and societal ills, though some nueva canción artists paid heavily for their outspoken songs. Víctor Jara of Chile, one of the movement's leading voices, was tortured and killed by members of the military.
In 1974, as Augusto Pinochet and his military regime rose to power in Chile, Montalvo fled the country for exile in France.
Performing Chilean music allows Montalvo to connect with her native culture. But she's also influenced by the music of her second home.
"In Latin music, the accordion is everywhere," Montalvo says. "It's in tango, cumbia, the music of Mexico and Brazil. It's also everywhere in France. That's why I began working with an accordionist, to make a musical link between both cultures."
Montalvo also feels camaraderie with her colleagues on the "Women of Latin America" tour, even though they're mining different musical styles.
"We are from three countries, and we talk about the same things," she says. "The other link is that we are three women, and that is very special in Latin America."
Putumayo Presents Latinas: Women of Latin America
WITH: Mariana Montalvo, Belô Velloso, Totó La Momposina
WHEN: 8 p.m. Wednesday
WHERE: Mondavi Center, University of California, Davis
TICKETS: $26-$36 general, $13-$18 students and children
INFORMATION: (530) 754-2787
