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FIU to become home to world's largest Cuban music collection
Cristóbal Díaz Ayal, author
of the definitive book on Cuban music and producer of the recent
CD box set 100 Cuban Songs of the Millenium, has given the FIU Libraries
approximately 100,000 items that span the history of popular Cuban
and other Latin music. Valued at nearly $1 million, the collection
features 25,000 LPs; 14,500 78rpms; 4,500 cassettes containing radio
interviews with composers and musicians; 4,000 pieces of sheet music;
3,000 books; and thousands of CDs, photographs, videocassettes and
paper files.
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Cristóbal Díaz Ayala
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"It's an incredible
collection," said Paquito D'Rivera, the renowned Cuban jazz
saxophonist and clarinet player, who has visited Díaz Ayala
and seen many of the items. "Not only Latin music followers,
but people in general and scholars want to know the history of music
in the New World."
FIU President Modesto A.
Maidique recognized that the collection -- approximately half of
which concentrates on Cuban music and the other half on music from
throughout the rest of Latin America -- would support the University's
strong programs in Latin American studies.
"This priceless collection will further advance our faculty's
and students' scholarly interest in the history and culture of the
region," Maidique said. "Researchers in our Latin American
and Caribbean Center, our Cuban Research Institute and related academic
departments will find the collection of invaluable use. It is with
great respect and deep gratitude that we accept this gift from Mr.
Díaz Ayala."
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