Panama Music - Panama is a nation of many immigrants much as the United States. The majority of the country is populated by a race of people known as mestizos. Depending on what part of Latin America you come from, mestizo basically means a person of mixed heritage. The people of Panama have ancestry that can be traced back to Africa and Europe. Many came from Jamaica, Barbados, Martinque, and Trinidad. The people who live in Panama today are descendants of their grandparents and in some cases parents who were brought here from these other lands to help build the Panama Canal (for both the French and American projects). So as you can imagine with a mix of cultures like this, the music mixture is also true.

Panama has a type of music it identifies as folkloric music. This music is basically the result of blacks, Hispanics, and indigenous folk of Panama intermingling. The music developed over time and today it has its own unique blend of rhythm. You will see traditional folkloric dances such as the tamborito on display in Panama City as well as thriving in the interior of the country.

Of course Panama music has all the traditional Latin flavors of music to include Salsa , Merengue, Reggae, Colombian, and Vallenato. You can also hear the influence of Cuba in the style of Panamanian jazz that is played here.

Panama is also proud of its famous salsero Ruben Blades who came from this country. Ruben Blades is not only a famous singer but has starred in movies as well.

Outside of Panama City (several times throughout the year) the local musicians and dancers get together and have regional festivals. There are also live rock concerts throughout the city with both English and Spanish language performances. Panama also has its carnival which is a four-day celebration before Ash Wednesday where the entire city basically shuts down for the festivities.

If you understand how Panamanians love their festivity, you will understand their love for Panama music .