Seven-times Grammy winner Gloria Estefan is to front a BBC Radio 2 (88-91 FM) seven part series tracing the history of Latin music from its roots to the present day. The series, commissioned from award-winning indie Folded Wing, will air from Thursday 3rd November and feature interviews with other Latin stars, and memories from Estefan’s four decades in the music business.
Cuban-born Estefan has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide and written hits for other Latin crossover stars such as Shakira and Jennifer Lopez. The seven-part series is being recorded at her studio in Miami. It will be her personal take on the current Latin scene, and a look at how the music has been shaped by influences from Cuba, Mexico, Brazil, Spain, Africa and elsewhere.
Estefan says the series will be a labour of love. “I am so happy to be able to share my Latin roots and the passion of the music to the listeners of BBC Radio 2 and all my fans in the UK. This will be a special treat for me to make.”
Folded Wing director Karen Pearson, who will produce the series, is delighted by the commission. “I’ve been a huge fan of Gloria’s for years and I’m so pleased that she’s bringing all her wealth of knowledge and experience to this series for BBC Radio 2. Spreading her love of Latin music is a real passion for Gloria, and she’s being very hands-on with choosing the music and the guests. There’ll be lots for the real Latin devotees and experts, but there’ll also be lots for people who think they might like Latin, but don’t know much about it.”
In the first episode, Gloria remembers the early days of her career, breaking through with Miami Sound Machine, and how support from fans in the UK was crucial to their later success across the US and the rest of the world. The hour-long programmes, broadcast at 2300 on Thursdays, are part of a Radio 2 strand devoted to music genres which don’t feature heavily elsewhere on the network. Recent series have included David Rodigan on Reggae and Dave Pearce on Dance.
Gloria Estefan releases a new album ‘Miss Little Havana’ on 27th September. Produced by Pharrell Williams (The Neptunes) & Emilio Estefan (Gloria’s Husband)
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PROGRAMME SCHEDULE: “GLORIA ESTEFAN’S LATIN BEAT”
Thursday November 3rd – 11:00PM – Episode 1 (Live on 88 – 91 FM or online at http://bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b016lt9b/Gloria_Estefans_Latin_Beat_Episode_1/
Thursday November 10th – 11:00PM – Episode 2 (Live on 88 – 91 FM or online at http://bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b016x4hd/Gloria_Estefans_Latin_Beat_Episode_2/
Thursday November 17th – 11:00PM – Episode 3 (Live on 88 – 91 FM or online at http://bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01724nz/Gloria_Estefans_Latin_Beat_Episode_3/
Thursday November 24th – 11:00PM – Episode 4 (Live on 88 – 91 FM or online at http://bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b017890s/Gloria_Estefans_Latin_Beat_Episode_4/
Thursday December 1st – 11:00PM – Episode 5 (Live on 88 – 91 FM or online at http://.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/bbc_radio_two
Thursday December 8th – 11:00PM – Episode 6 (Live on 88 – 91 FM or online at http://.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/bbc_radio_two
Thursday December 15th – 11:00PM – Episode 7 (Live on 88 – 91 FM or online at http://.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/bbc_radio_two
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