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 Jazz, funk, bossa nova, reggae, samba and hip-hop all have roots in the African Beat. All of those genres can be called WORLD MUSIC. The combination of different cultural influences gives this music international appeal. You can hear the cross-cultural heritage of America in most popular music that we export to the world. Blues is at the roots of Jazz & Rock and Roll, and is true American folk music. Most Americans don't think of Jazz as "World Music", because we live here. But it was a true cultural mix , and a representation of blacks and European whites blending together in the early 20th century. More and more, the popular music of our time is taking on international flavor. Recently, Brazil, and Latin America have had a huge influence all over the World.
As a songwriter & composer, I have always wanted to combine my favorite elements and come up with something that has never been heard before. The contrast of hot ryhthms and cool vocals has always been a combination that ignites my soul. Bossa Nova, American Soul, Reggae, cool Jazz, Blues, African rhythms (Samba & Tropical) represent my home base. Whether it's Ray Charles, Bob Marley or Gilberto Gil, there's a kind of celebration going on in the music. When horns and backup vocals bring it home, You can hear the roots of jazz. What would Sinatra have been without horns?
On the cooler side, Miles Davis was the ultimate. But "cool" went even a step further in South America when Bossa Nova was invented in the late 50's. Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim took it to another level with a new way or writing songs. Joao Gilberto sang Jobim's compositions on a river of undulating guitar chords. There is no music more beautiful or classic for me. . . Like the vision of a Goddess, or the Girl from Ipanema, a great song can last forever in our memories.
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