The American composer and pianist, Louis-Moreau Gottschalk (1829 – 1869), was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, one of the most culturally diverse areas in America during his time. His father, Edward Gottschalk, was of German-Jewish heritage, and his mother, Aimée de Bruslé, was a Creole of French-Roman Catholic background. The Bruslé family had fled from Haiti to New Orleans because of the rising slave rebellion. Also, his maternal Grandmother Bruslé and Sally, her African-American nurse, were
civil ware and the Emancipation Proclamation. During the early 19th century, many Africans learned to play European instruments, but played them their way: through improvisation and the feel of the moment. Before the celebrations paused, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, the white Croele composer, had incorporated African rhythms and styles into some of his compositions. When the Congo Square became a famous musical venue once again, the musicians played his music, and thus America saw the birth of jazz.
Music, in the history of Puerto Rico, has played a role of great significance as a means of cultural expression. The five centuries of musical activity shows that Puerto Ricans have created, developed and promoted a variety of genres ranging from folk music, concert music and new genres. The Puerto Rican music and native musicians have shaped and enriched the identity of the Puerto Rican people and their roots. Puerto Rican music was the ultimate expression of the “Areito” (indigenous artistic traditions)