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Latina singers highlight of UNC concert next week
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The Herald-Sun, Latina singers highlight of UNC concert next week >>
By Philip Van Vleck
What do Latina singers Belô Velloso, Mariana Montalvo and Totó la Momposina have in common? Aside from their terrific voices, these impressive performers are headlining Putumayo World Music's Latinas: Women of Latin America tour, which will stop Tuesday evening at UNC.
This inviting concert is the brainchild of Dan Storper, founder of Putumayo World Music. He began Putumayo in 1993, and since then it has become one of the most significant purveyors of world music in the United States.
Putumayo previously had staged music events of limited scope and duration, but recently Storper was handed the opportunity to organize something much more dramatic.
"We were approached by several presenters to conceptualize a thematic tour and make it an annual event," Storper explained. "Our idea is that people will trust Putumayo and believe that we believe in our slogan -- Guaranteed To Make You Feel Good -- and understand that this is not just how we feel about our CDs, but how we feel about any event we sponsor.
"We decided to start with our Women of Latin America tour because we know all the artists and their work, and we know that they're great live performers as well," he added. "They're also eloquent about their music and their cultures. We thought it would make for an interesting and diverse evening."
Storper's collegiate background also came into play in his decision to devote this first national tour to Latin artists.
"I was a Latin American studies major in college," he noted. "The name Putumayo is also the name of a river valley that starts in the foothills of Colombia. I have a long-standing tie to Latin America, so it seemed natural to start with a tour that featured Latin American artists. Also, there is a growing Latin population in the U.S. Our core audience, historically, has been so-called cultural creatives over the age of 30, mainly Anglo, but we're beginning to understand that Putumayo is starting to appeal to a broader audience.
"Our groove and lounge compilations, for example, are attracting electronica fans," he continued. "More listeners are finding that when they come to our label there's a tremendous diversity of music they can learn about and new artists they can discover."
One key to Putumayo's success has been Storper's idea of creating thematic compilation albums. This philosophy is also reflected in the concept of the Women of Latin America tour.
"The whole premise of Putumayo has always been to try and use a thematic approach to introduce people to other cultures through compelling music," Storper said. "Even when we started, the first few CDs included an African-themed album and a reggae theme, and a variety of others. I felt that if people really didn't know the artists they could more easily understand and be drawn to something that tied-in with a country or culture. We've trusted this approach since we started the label."
Here's who concertgoers will see Tuesday night during the Women of Latin America performance:
Mariana Montalvo. Like many Chileans, artists and otherwise, Mariana Montalvo left Chile not long after the dictator Augusto Pinochet came to power. Montalvo found a new home in Paris and the freedom to pursue her musical passion -- nueva canción -- the new song movement that swept South America in the 1970s. Montalvo's latest album, "Piel de Aceituna," is a superb project that thoroughly represents the style and substance of nueva canción.
Totó la Momposina. Colombian singer. Totó la Momposina was born into a family of musicians and grew up on the island of Mompos. Following her family's musical tradition, she has become one of the brightest stars in Colombia. Momposina's voice is as strong as it is beautiful, and there's no one with a better mastery of cumbia, Colombia's most popular dance rhythm.
Belô Velloso. Born in Brazil's most musical state, Bahia, Velloso is the niece of Caetano Velloso and Maria Bethânia, icons of Brazilian music. Belô Velloso remains strongly influenced by the styles of Bahia, particularly axé and ijexá.
Belô Velloso, Mariana Montalvo and Totó la Momposina, Tuesday, 8 p.m., Great Hall, UNC Chapel Hill campus. Tickets $32 general public; $18 students. Call (919) 962-1449, or visit www.performingartsseries.unc.edu. Carolina Union Performing Arts Series event. 10/22/04
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