This collection showcases the syncopated piano music of Latin American during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It features Latin rhythms, which are really African rhythms brought to the Americas by slaves and applied to the music of the European colonists. These rhythms are varied and complex and so is their history. They've had a widespread and profound influence on the evolution of popular music not only in Latin America, but also in the United States. The most obvious offshoots are the tango in Argentine and Uruguay and most of the other popular dances of South and Central America, as well as ragtime and jazz in the United States. Jelly Roll Morton claimed this Latin tinge is the essential element that distinguishes jazz from ragtime. These rhythms are the musical roots of groups like The Buena Vista Social Club.Adios a Cuba (I.Cervantes) - Almendares (I.Cervantes) - Carioca (Ernesto Nazareth) - Coquetona (Danza) (Jose I.Quinton) - Cruz, Perigo!! (Ernesto Nazareth) - El Entreriano (Tango) (A.Rosendo) - El Esquinazo (Tango Criollo) (A.G.Villoldo) - El Panuelo de Pepa (Contradanza) (manuel Saumell) - El Zurdo (Tango) (Juan Maglio) - Esta Chumbado (Ernesto Nazareth) - Garoto (Ernesto Nazareth) - Ilusiones Perdidas (I.Cervantes) - l Chicotazo (Tango No.2) (Vincente Greco) - La Encantadora (I.Cervantes) - La Isabelita (J.Morel Campos) - La Luz Electrica (Tomas Leon) - La Matilde (Contradanza) (Manuel Saumell) - La Paloma (Sebastian Yradier) - La Quejosita (Manuel Saumell) - La Reina de las Flores (Tomas Leon) - Lamentos de Amor (Manuel Saumell) - Laura y Georgina (J.Morel Camppos) - No Me Toques! (J.Morel Campos) - O Que Ha? (Tango) (Ernesto Nazareth) - Por Que, Eh? (Why, Eh?) (I.Cervantes) - Que Le Importa a Usted? (Tomas Leon) - Quien Sabe (Tomas Leon) - Recuerdos de Gottschalk (Contradanza) (Manuel Saumell) - Remando (Tango) (Ernesto Nazareth) - Suipacha (Tango Milonga) (Eduardo Arolas) - Tiene Que Ser (It Must Be) (I.Cervantes) - Trocha (A Cuban Dance) (Wm.H.Tyres) - Tu (Habanera) (E.Sanchez Fuentes) - Vaya Una Pregunta (Tomas Leon) - Vitorioso (Tango) (Ernesto Nazareth) - Vuelta al Hogar (I.Cervantes) - Yo Se Lo Dire a Ustted (Tomas Leon)

This fascinating collection draws on a virtually unknown set of Brazilian dances for Piano published at the end of the nineteenth century in Rio de Janeiro. These pieces blend the melodic charm and grace of the European polka and other dance forms with the sparkle and syncopation of Afro-Caribbean styles. The result is a repertoire filled with verve and wit that will appeal to players and audiences alike.