Exhibitions

American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music

July 11, 2011 – October 9, 2011
Arturo Sandoval, Courtesy of Manny Iriarte

S. Dillon Ripley Center
1100 Jefferson Drive, SW
Washington, DC

International Gallery, Sublevel 3

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Since the end of World War II, Latin music—salsa, mambo, rumba, cha-cha-cha—has profoundly influenced American popular music. Latino musicians helped shape many traditional genres of music in the United States, including jazz, R&B, rock 'n' roll, and hip hop. Featuring bilingual text panels, graphics and photographs, listening stations, films, and musical instruments, this exhibition reveals the true flavor, or "sabor," of Latin music in the United States. It focuses on five cities that represent the remarkable diversity of Latino popular music—New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, San Antonio, and San Francisco—to explore the broader histories and cultures that created the music emerging from those areas.

Presented in partnership with the Smithsonian Latino Center. Organized by EMP (Experience Music Project).