World Music

King Of Calypso. Harry Belafonte left his mark on American culture as a musician, actor and social activist. His career spanned seven decades and earned him numerous awards. He is one of the few artists to have received an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony (EGOT). Harry Belafonte is best known for his groundbreaking music, which blended elements of folk, calypso and pop, and for his contributions to the civil rights movement. Belafonte released his first album, Calypso, in 1956, which was a huge...

Copacabana. Beco das Garrafas on Brazil‘s Copacabana is considered the birthplace of bossa nova. In a very modern social climate, the educated middle class experimented with new forms and expressions in music. Chega De Saudade, by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes, made famous by João Gilberto, is considered the first bossa nova song. Gilberto and Jobim caused quite a stir with their new blend of samba and cool jazz. Their musical style and way of playing were quickly adapted by...

Vino, Pasta, Musica. In addition to culinary delights, beautiful places and historical beauty, Italy additionally impresses with its music. Italy is not only the birthplace of opera, but since 1951 it has created the Sanremo Festival, an annual pop music competition that continues to produce great stars and hits and is the starting point for international careers. CIAO ITALIA is a collection of Italian joie de vivre wrapped up in music and looks back at the great Italian world hits and stars....

Cuba For Your Ears. Over 20 years ago, US guitarist Ry Cooder awakened the sleeping giant of the Caribbean. With his project Buena Vista Social Club he presented the whole world Cuba: the music, the artists, the attitude towards life and established Cuban music as a permanent genre. The music legends Compay Segundo, Celia Cruz and Pérez Prado (among others) are part of the LP Cuba La Musica. The sound of Cuba, this incomparable atmosphere paired with the brilliance of the old masters seem...

The Queen Of Salsa. What would Salsa be without her cult icon Celia Cruz? Nothing! Born in Cuba, she became a star in her home country in the 1950s and is still the most popular artist of Cuban music today. After the revolution, outcast by Fidel Castro, Celia Cruz became a megastar from her American exile, first in the USA and later also in Europe. She established herself mainly as a ­charismatic stage star with garish costumes and extroverted performance, thus infusing the rather reserved,...