The Sound of (Latin) Music:(January 2010) Grammy Winners Celia Cruz—The Queen of Salsa(Spring 2002) José José—The Prince of Song(March 2003) More in Entertainment

Mambo, bossa nova, reggaetón: The United States has always been wildly enthusiastic about embracing new musical movements from south of the border. But the artistic dialogue between Latin America and the United States was best encapsulated in the creation of Latin jazz—the smoldering combination of Afro-Latin rhythms with jazz harmonies.

It all began in 1947, when Dizzy Gillespie collaborated with Cuban conguero Chano Pozo on "Manteca"—a raucous track whose feverish brass riffs and funky percussion brim with magic to this day. Two more Cuban expatriates, Machito and his musical director Mario Bauzá, contributed to the Latin jazz revolution with the equally trendsetting instrumental "Tanga." Perhaps the most influential non-Latin bandleader was the prolific Cal Tjader. He played vibes and timbales, giving the genre a velvety touch that is ever present on Monterey Concerts. (Fantasy, 1959), a wonderfully restrained live session that includes such elegant gems as "Afro Blue" and "A Night In Tunisia."

A rougher—volcanic, even—approach is favored by Nuyorican timbalero Tito Puente on Tambó (BMG, 1960), a concept album soaked in the atmosphere of Cuban rumba. Emerging from the ranks of seventies Cuban group Irakere, saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera has explored all facets of Latin jazz, including its connection with Brazil on the excellent Brazilian Dreams (MCG Jazz, 2002).