Raúl Fernandez, professor emeritus of Chicano/Latino Studies, writes, “The life and work of Harry Belafonte, who died on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, has been told, discussed, and celebrated in books and in countless obituaries and articles throughout the United States and the world. But did you know that Belafonte's first recording was with a New York orchestra made up mostly of Cuban and Puerto Rican musicians? Or that he enjoyed dancing la Plena [the traditional dance of Puerto Rico]? Or that Belafonte sang in Spanish and recorded traditional Mexican songs? Throughout his artistic career, Belafonte maintained a great curiosity for Latino culture and, especially, for Cuban and Puerto Rican musical styles.

For the full story, please visit https://categoria5.org/el-lado-latino-de-belafonte/.