The Soft Power of Latin American Music

Latin America in Focus

For many Latin America enthusiasts, music serves as a gateway for understanding the cultural contours of the region. Sebastián Zubieta, Music Director at Americas Society, understands this profoundly. In conversation with Luisa Leme, Zubieta outlines his approach to striking an emotional chord with audiences while showcasing a mix of music and musicians that define and defy the musical traditions of the Hemisphere.

Plus, ahead of the 60th anniversary of Americas Society in 2025, Zubieta provides a sneak peek of what’s to come with Music of the Americas in 2025. And the AS/COA Online staff gives a Latin America in Focus holiday list of recommendations.

Music of the Americas performances mentioned during the interview:

• Claude Vivier, “Kopernikus” (performed by Meridionalis) https://youtu.be/CHIP9GjfSMc?si=MNP2sLd8iisI-R8Q
• Coro Acardenchado https://www.as-coa.org/events/celebrate-mexico-now-coro-acardenchado
• Egberto Gismonti https://youtu.be/_BdWAEoPbac?si=M-v_fRGQG6cxX4ep
• Hermero Pascoal https://youtu.be/WtWUjgPtEns?si=MgDTtXJb0twsB9RX
• Izaline Calister
• Las Añez https://youtu.be/38R89JXIkrk?si=8kqprWUPbSwZ5vlt
• Monica Salmaso https://youtu.be/Z2uI8cMHosc?si=-Ef88vVkPDQw0eUj
• Pauchi Sasaki https://youtu.be/2O78v8Dnkz4?si=OVVhsXTbvHskFDmW
• Bobby Sanabria and the Multiverse Band https://youtu.be/YecX8vtBTRk?si=TT57DpyVgpqEGGKW

AS/COA Online Holiday list:

• I’m Still Here, by Walter Salles (feature film) https://tiff.net/events/im-still-here
• You Dreamed of Empires, by Álvaro Enrigue (novel) https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/722363/you-dreamed-of-empires-by-alvaro-enrigue-translated-by-natasha-wimmer/
• LatinoLand, A Portrait of America's Largest and Least Understood Minority, by Marie Arana (non-fiction) https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/LatinoLand/Marie-Arana/9781982184896
• Las Amazonas de Yaxunah, by Alfonso Algara (documentary) https://nylatinofilmfestival.com/2024/movies/las-amazonas-de-yaxunah/
• The Great Divide, by Cristina Henriquez (novel) https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-great-divide-cristina-henriquez?variant=41079220469794

Share your love for Latin America: Join Americas Society.
Becoming a member gives you exclusive access to music performances, art gallery, book events, our magazine Americas Quarterly, and more. https://www.as-coa.org/memberships/engage-americas-society

Access other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at [e-mail]. Share and subscribe at Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

The music featured in this podcast is “Me gusta soñar”, by the C4 Trio. Find out about upcoming concerts at: musicoftheamericas.org

Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members
Follow us on social media:
Twitter/X: @ASCOA
Instagram: @ascoa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ascoa