Marta Gomez: Social Ideas with Latin Beats

NPR | By Steve Inskeep

Published December 10, 2004 at 12:00 AM EST

With equal parts jazz and folk, Marta Gomez's music encompasses the varied rhythms of Latin America. But her songs also comment on many social issues, touching on Colombia, Argentina, Cuba and Spain.

Among Gomez's influences is the Chilean novelist and journalist Isabel Allende, whose work, such as the novel House of the Spirits, incorporates social themes into personal stories.

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks with Gomez about the songs -- and politics -- on her new CD, Cantos de Agua Dulce (Songs of Sweet Water). The release has been hailed as a smart update of folk traditions.

Steve Inskeep

Steve Inskeep is a host of NPR's Morning Edition and Up First.

See stories by Steve Inskeep

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

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