In 1940s America, the exotic rhythms of Latin orchestras (such as those led by Xavier Cugat) became enlivened with the improvisational fervor of the emerging be-bop movement. Cuban immigrant Machito and his brother Mario Bauza were pioneers in fusing polyrhythmic salsa and samba beats with complex jazz melodies, as was bop stalwart Dizzy Gillespie. Sometimes also called Afro-Cuban jazz, this frenetic musical hybrid is lively and rhythmic. Many Latin jazz bandleaders such as Tito Puente and Poncho Sanchez play percussion instruments ranging from timbales and maracas to conga drums. Interest in Latin jazz was revived in the late '90s when American guitarist Ry Cooder and German filmmaker Wim Wenders collaborated on "the Buena Vista Social Club" a documentary about forgotten Cuban legends like Compay Segundo and Ibrahim Ferrer who were still alive, yet living in obscurity.

Notable Artists: Charlie Palmeri, Chucho Valdez, Arturo Sandoval