Premiering Friday, July 9 at 8 p.m.
Three-time Grammy Award winner Gloria Estefan takes a musical journey through Africa, Brazil and Cuba to explore how the music of these places has influenced her own musical heritage. Along the way, you’ll visit three of Brazil’s most influential cities, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Salvador, with Estefan as narrator and host, to explore the history of Samba and its many variations.
Featuring regional celebrities like Maria Rita, Carlinhos Brown and Jorge Arãgo, the documentary looks at the African origins of Brazilian music and specific sites that have inspired artists around the world, including the Bay of All Saints and the Christ the Redeemer statue. Along the way, Estefan also offers an inside look at the creation of her new Brazilian-influenced album.
This July, Great Performances also delivers a celebration of “The Roots of Latin Jazz” on Friday, July 11 at 8 p.m.