Please welcome Professor Sanabria

Latin jazz is back for next year's Grammy categories, thanks in large measure to the efforts of New York-based drummer Bobby Sanabria who led the protest charge after that category was eliminated last year, among many others.

Today, Sanabria is using a different forum to show how deeply embedded Latin music is in American musical culture.


He's special guest presenter at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland. His topic is "The Latin Roots of Rock and Roll." Today's lecture is at the Rock Hall's annual Summer Teacher Institute for educators and music specialists from across the U.S. and abroad.

Sanabria says the DNA of rock and roll has much to do with all things Latin - from its hypnotic bass lines, clave-based drum-set patterns, funky guitar and piano riffs, melodies ands dance styles. He will focus on how Latin music performance, rhythms and history relate to the rock continuum.