PBS Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month With a Documentary Recognizing the
Latino Contribution to American Music

The Latin Music USA Four-Part Documentary to Launch During Hispanic Heritage
Month on October 12th and 19th

BOSTON: Did you know Salsa came from New
York? That the Kingsmen’s “Louie Louie” is a cha cha cha? How did rap meet
reggae to make Reggaeton?

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, PBS will premiere Latin Music USA, a
four-hour documentary series celebrating the Latin rhythms at the heart of
jazz, rock, country and rhythm and blues and highlighting the great American
music created by Latinos. Revealing the Latin sounds that have influenced the
music of great American artists from the Drifters to the Isley Brothers to
Santana, the documentary aims to reach lovers of music everywhere, along with
fans of American history and everyone who loves to dance.

Airing in primetime on Mondays, October 12 and 19, 9:00-11:00 p.m. ET on PBS,
the documentary series is narrated by acclaimed Golden Globe and Emmy-award
winning actor Jimmy Smits and features the stories of Latino artists Celia
Cruz, Carlos Santana, the Fania All-Stars, Shakira, Gloria Estefan and Ricky
Martin, along with exclusive interviews and never-before-seen footage.

The life experiences of the artists featured in the documentary reveal how
Latinos have reinvented their music in the United States and forged new
identities within this country, while never losing sight of their own rich
traditions.

“LATIN MUSIC USA is a cornerstone of PBS’ celebration of Hispanic Heritage
Month this year,” said John F. Wilson, PBS Chief TV Programming Executive.
“It’s a program for everyone who loves to explore music, dance and American
history and their fascinating connections to our overall culture.”

PBS’ celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month extends beyond the broadcast and
onto pbs.org. PBS’ video player (pbs.org/video) — where viewers can watch
hours of free PBS programming online and on their own time — features an
extensive lineup of programs honoring and exploring Latino culture in
“Nuestras Historias | Our Stories,” a special Hispanic Heritage Month
collection. LATIN MUSIC USA will premiere online on October 13 (English) and
14 (Spanish) as part of this collection. “Nuestras Historias | Our Stories” is
at www.pbs.org/nuestrashistorias.