As we look back at 2008, it’s a great time to revisit some of the posts here at The Latin Jazz Corner that were popular. They cover a variety of topics and touch upon a wide variety of pieces from the Latin Jazz world. Although I do spend time each week with album reviews, I left both Albums of the Week and Spotlight Artists off this list. These are the posts that took a different direction and looked at the Latin Jazz world from a different angle. Take a minute to look back at some of LJC’s best from 2008; it was a great year of Latin Jazz . . . with more excitement to come in 2009!

Remembering Our Lost Mentors
We lost some great musicians during 2008, and of course, we took an opportunity to look back at their influential careers.

Tata Güines 1930 - 2008
Remembering A Legend: Israel “Cachao” Lopez (1918 - 2008)
Essential Cachao Recordings, Part 1: Cachao In Cuba
Essential Cachao Recordings, Part 2: Cachao In New York
Essential Cachao Recordings, Part 3: Cachao’s Early Miami Years
Essential Cachao Recordings, Part 4: Cachao’s Revitalized Career

Looking At Trends and Important Collections of Musicians
I try to take time at LJC to look back to the past and forward into the future. These posts covered some important artists and current trends.

Reflections Upon An Influential Education: 10 Albums From Irakere Alumni
5 Artists That Are Making Us Question Our Assumptions About Latin Jazz
5 Latin Jazz Trends From The First Half Of 2008

Looking At Instrumentalists
The musicians are the people that keep Latin Jazz alive, and it’s important to keep some focus on them. These posts look at current important musicians by instrument.

5 Latin Jazz Bass Players Driving Today’s Scene
5 Latin Jazz Guitarists Making A Contribution To The Scene
4 Latin Jazz Vocalists Forging Their Own Identities
4 Latin Jazz Flautists Bringing The Instrument Into The Forefront

Latin Jazz Perspectives
I started the “perspectives” series this year, focusing on Latin Jazz interpretations of compositions by straight-ahead jazz artists.

10 Latin Jazz Perspectives On John Coltrane
10 Latin Jazz Perspectives On Charlie Parker
10 Latin Jazz Perspectives On Horace Silver

Latin Jazz Music Business
There’s a wide variety of people that keep the Latin Jazz world running - in an attempt to recognize some of the behind the scenes folks, I took a look at some record labels promoting Latin Jazz.

Reviving The CD Experience: New Releases From Cacao Musica
Finding A Voice As A Record Label: Cacao Musica’s Second Wave of Releases
Patois Records: Documenting The Bay Area Latin Jazz Sound
On A Mission To Promote Afro-Peruvian Jazz: Pasache Music
Building A Bridge Between Concept and Listener: Origen Records and Arturo Stable

Exploring Latin Jazz
I try to recognize new directions in Latin Jazz here at LJC, and so I took some time this year to explore Latin influences outside the standard Cuban genres.

Exploring Latin Jazz: Afro-Peruvian Jazz
Exploring Latin Jazz: Argentine Jazz
Exploring Latin Jazz: What Makes Afro-Peruvian Jazz Unique?
Exploring Latin Jazz: Analysis & Questions About Nuevo Tango
Exploring Latin Jazz: From Pop Star To Artistic Innovator - Two Sides of Tango

Revisiting Latin Jazz Classics
I’ve taken the regular opportunity to go back and look at some of the albums that shaped the way that we look at Latin Jazz today. They all make essential pieces of any Latin Jazz collection.

Revisiting Latin Jazz Classics: Afro Jaws, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis
Revisiting Latin Jazz Classics: Los Heroes, Estrellas De Areito
Revisiting Latin Jazz Classics: At The Blackhawk, Mongo Santamaria
Revisiting Latin Jazz Classics: Manhattan Mambo, Hilton Ruiz
Revisiting Latin Jazz Classics: Urban Oasis, Jorge Dalto & The Interamerican Band
Revisiting Latin Jazz Classics: Sabu’s Jazz Espagnole, Sabu Martinez
Revisiting Latin Jazz Classics: Ya Yo Me Cure, Jerry Gonzalez

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