October 5, 2004
Contact: Susan Gwynne
(805) 893-2098
e-mail: gwynne-s@sa.ucsb.edu

The concert Putumayo Presents Latinas: Women of Latin America features three terrific divas—Totó La Momposina, Mariana Montalvo and Belô Velloso—at UCSB Campbell Hall

Summary Facts:

• Putumayo Presents Latinas: Women of Latin America
• A concert featuring Totó La Momposina from Colombia, Mariana Montalvo from Chile and Belô Velloso from Brazil
• The tour celebrates the tenth anniversary of pioneering music label Putumayo
• The concert features the soulful and inspirational music of three singers who appear on the CD Women of Latin America
• Wednesday, November 10 / 8 pm
• UCSB Campbell Hall
• General public: $30 / UCSB students: $16
• Tickets/information: UCSB Arts & Lectures at 893-3535

The transporting concert Putumayo Presents Latinas: Women of Latin America will take place on Wednesday, November 10 at 8 pm at UCSB Campbell Hall. In celebration of its tenth anniversary Putumayo World Music—now firmly established as the premier independent world music label—presents three extraordinary South American divas. Singer and dancer Totó La Momposina draws from her Colombian upbringing and elements of African, Native American and Spanish traditions. Mariana Montalvo’s fresh interpretations of the folkloric traditional music of Chile are influenced by the sophisticated and powerful nueva cannción tradition. Belô Velloso, niece of Brazil’s popular Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia, delivers dazzling melodies in samba, bossa nova and other styles. New Age Voice Magazine raves, “Forget Miss Aguilera and Jennifer ‘The Body’ Lopez; these are the real divas of Latin America.”

Colombia’s folkloric diva, Totó La Momposina puts 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 which made cumbia the most important music in Latin America. La Momposina’s songs alternate between the blasting horns of las bandas and percussion-heavy accompaniment of cactus wood flutes, named las gaitas by the Spanish for their sonic resemblance to Galician bagpipes. “The music I play has its roots in mixed race,” says Totó. “The flutes are pre-Columbian, the drums of course are from Africa, and the guitar from the conquistadors.” La Momposina will perform with a six-person band.

Like many musicians from Chile, Mariana Montalvo was forced into exile when Augusto Pinochet took power in a military coup. Montalvo moved to Paris but keeps alive the nueva canción tradition—a South American musical movement that emerged in the 1960s and ’70s. Montalvo continues the musical relationship between Chile and France that was born in 1965 in Santiago when the legendary Peña de los Parra modeled itself after a Paris chanson nightclub. Montalvo’s singing, sometimes personal and often festive, is supported by music that rejects all tropicalisms and claims itself as clearly South American. Her strength lies in the preservation of sounds and spirit, and her mix of modernity and tradition. Montalvo will be accompanied by a flautist and a guitarist.

As a child in the state of Bahia, the Brazilian region with the most profound African cultural influences, Belô Velloso was exposed firsthand to the work of some of the greatest names in MPB, or popular Brazilian music, as well as samba, bossa nova, and other traditional Brazilian styles. She moved to Rio at the age of 19 to pursue a career in music, and was helped by her famous aunt and uncle through guest appearances on her first album. “Bahia is a place full of rhythms with very original sounds,” says Velloso. “It is a mix of the African drum with the swing of the Brazilian samba. This gave to Bahia originality and a great cultural importance. I grew up with the poetry from Bahia. A place that values the culture, the composition, the melody, the rhythm. A place full of natural beauty from the sea.” Velloso will perform with two guitarists and a percussionist.

Putumayo World Music was established in 1993 to introduce people to the music of the world’s cultures. The label grew out of the Putumayo clothing company, founded by Dan Storper in 1975 and sold in 1997. In the past ten years, Putumayo World Music has become known primarily for its upbeat and melodic compilations of great international music characterized by the company’s motto: “guaranteed to make you feel good!” Putumayo’s CD covers feature the distinctive art of Nicola Heindl, whose colorful, folkloric style represents one of Putumayo’s goals: to connect the traditional to the contemporary. By combining appealing music and visuals with creative retail marketing, Putumayo has developed a unique brand identity—a rarity in today’s artist-based music industry.

The public is welcome to a free Meet-the-Artists Reception on Tuesday, November 9 at 12 noon at the UCSB Women’s Center. The Women’s Center is co-sponsoring this event.

Prior to the performance on November 10, concertgoers may enhance their experience by attending a tasty Latin American buffet served by the UCSB Faculty Club at 6 pm. The dinner is $18 per person; reservations must be made by November 3 by calling 805.893.3096.

Putumayo Presents Latinas is presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures and sponsored by the Santa Barbara Independent, Tinta Latina, KCSB 91.9 FM and Univision. This residency is supported by the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF) and the National Endowment for the Arts. Tickets for the concert are $30 for the general public and $16 for UCSB students. They are on sale now and can also be purchased at the door, if still available.

For tickets or more information,
call UCSB Arts & Lectures at (805) 893-3535.

Editor: For photos, please call
Susan Gwynne at (805) 893-2098.