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Tejano musician Fito Olivares dies at 75

Fito Olivares performs during the Cinco de Mayo celebration held at Rosedale Park on May 5, 2002 in San Antonio, Texas. Olivares, known for songs that were wedding and quinceañera mainstays including the hit "Juana La Cubana," died Friday. He was 75. Edward A. Ornelas/The San Antonio Express-News via AP hide caption

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Edward A. Ornelas/The San Antonio Express-News via AP

Obituaries

Tejano musician Fito Olivares dies at 75

The noted saxophonist, known for songs that were wedding and quinceañera mainstays including the hit "Juana La Cubana," died in Houston. He started playing professionally in his teens.

Cumbia: The musical backbone of Latin America

Los Gaiteros De San Jacinto on the cover of its 2006 album Un Fuego de Sangre Pura. Jorge Mario Múnera/Courtesy of Smithsonian Folkways hide caption

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Jorge Mario Múnera/Courtesy of Smithsonian Folkways

Code Switch

Cumbia: The musical backbone of Latin America

Whether you're from Ushuaia or East Los Angeles, you've likely heard cumbia blaring from a stereo. From our play friends at NPR's Alt.Latino, Jasmine Garsd and Felix Contreras talk about their common love of the musical backbone of Latin America.

Cumbia: The musical backbone of Latin America

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