Roberto Rodriguez's tribute to Jewish-Algerian pianist Maurice El Medioni, "Oran Oran" epitomizes musical cross-fertilization across three continents. Spanish and North African music have a centuries-long history of exchange and mutual influence, but West and Central African influences appear via the Puerto Rican and Cuban influences on Maurice El Medioni's music. According to Hashim Aidi, Maurice El Medioni was exposed to jazz and 'Latin' music through Puerto Rican and African-American soldiers during WWII, and that added another layer of complexity to the musical 'stew' that is his sound. Thus, it is only natural that Latin jazz artist Roberto Rodriguez would pay homage to this legend who was clearly influenced by Latin sounds.
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