Latin American Divas:

            Even in today’s multitasking age, few labels are putting together and promoting their own package tours.  But specialty label Putumayo World Music is doing just that in support of its compilation “Women of Latin America,” released Sept. 21.

            The album, which comprises 11 tracks sung by eclectic Latina singers from around the world, will be accompanied by a 30-city U.S. tour dubbed Putumayo Presents Latinas: Women of Latin America.  It kicked off Oct. 8 in Washington, D.C., and stops Nov. 10 at Campbell Hall in Santa Barbara.

            Three of the album’s featured singers – Chile’s Toto La Momposina and Brazil’s Belô Velloso – will take part in the tour.

            Montalvo keeps alive the nueva cancíon tradition – a South American musical movement that emerged in the ‘70s.  La Momposina likes to put an updated spin on two historical moments in Colombian musical history: the early melding of Indian and African cultures and the golden era of Colombian big bands.  Velloso, the youngest of the three, grew up in the Brazilian state of Bahia, an area that has embraced a musical style combining African drums with the swing of Brazilian samba. 

            A free meet-the-artists reception will be held at noon Nov. 9 at the Women’s Center at University of California, Santa Barbara.  The concert will be held at 8 p.m. in Campbell hall on the UCSB campus.  Tickets, $30 general and $16 for students, are available by calling 893-3535.