WEMU 89.1 FM Presents Free Screening Of PBS' LATIN MUSIC USA 10/7

WEMU 89.1 FM presents a free screening of the first installment of the new PBS documentary "Latin Music USA" followed by a Q&A session with one of the series' major consultants, percussionist and jazz historian Bobby Sanabria, on Wednesday, October 7, at 7 pm. This is a unique opportunity to see the television program before it airs on PBS stations across the country and to discuss Latin music one-on-one with Bobby Sanabria.

"Latin Music USA" is a multi-media project anchored by a four-hour documentary series that will premiere in later this month, during Hispanic Heritage Month, on PBS stations nationwide. The series delves in to fusions of Latin sounds with jazz, rock, country and blues. It explains an overlooked aspect of American musical history: the hybrid sounds created by Latinos that deeply enriched popular music in the US for more than five decades. It also traces how Latin music infiltrated R&B and rock and roll through the 1960s.

WEMU is the only public radio station in Southeastern Michigan with programs dedicated to Latin music (Cuban Fantasy, Saturdays 7-9 pm and Brazilian Sol, Saturdays 9-11 pm), which led to its selection to host the screening.

The son of Puerto Rican parents, Bobby Sanabria was born and raised in the "Fort Apache" section of New York City's South Bronx. Inspired and encouraged by Maestro Tito Puente, Bobby obtained a Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music, receiving Berklee's prestigious Faculty Association Award for his work as an instrumentalist. Bobby is now a major leader in the Afro-Cuban and jazz fields and is recognized as one of the most articulate scholars of "la tradición" living today. The free screening and talk will be moderated by WEMU's music director, Linda Yohn and will take place in the Michigan Theater screening room.