Putumayo World Music was established in 1993 to introduce people to the music of the world's cultures. The label grew out of Putumayo clothing company, founded by Dan Storper in 1975 and sold in 1997. In the past fifteen years, Putumayo World Music has become known primarily for its upbeat and melodic compilations of great international music characterized by the company's motto: “guaranteed to make you feel good!”
Putumayo’s CD covers feature the distinctive art of Nicola Heindl, whose colorful, folkloric style represents one of Putumayo's goals: to connect the traditional to the contemporary. By combining appealing music and visuals with creative retail marketing, Putumayo has developed a unique brand identity, a rarity in today's artist-based music industry.
Putumayo is considered a pioneer and leader in developing the non-traditional market. A large portion of its target audience consists of "Cultural Creatives," a sociological and lifestyle term for 50 million North Americans and millions more around the world with an interest in culture, travel and the arts. To reach these consumers, Putumayo has built a proprietary network of more than 3,000 book, gift, clothing, coffee and other specialty retailers in the US and thousands more internationally that play and sell its CDs, in addition to maintaining a strong presence in record stores. Putumayo has developed Travel the World with Putumayo consumer contests to the Caribbean, Ireland, Brazil, Morocco, Senegal and New Orleans.
Dan Storper’s vision of establishing a global company and lifestyle brand is being furthered by CD distribution in more than 100 countries. The opening of Putumayo Europe, in Hilversum, Holland in 2000 enabled the company to connect with the European music and retail scene. As of March 2008, the Putumayo Europe office was re-located to Weesp, Holland, near Amsterdam. The expansion of Putumayo International has also extended the label’s presence in South America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. The company now has 21 offices in 15 countries around the world.
The Putumayo Kids division was created to introduce children to other cultures through fun, upbeat world music. Since the release of the best-selling World Playground CD in 1999, Putumayo Kids has established itself as one of the leading children’s record labels in the world, winning critical acclaim and honors from Parents’ Choice Awards, the National Parenting Publications Association and others.With its growing collection of albums and multicultural activity kits, Putumayo Kids provides children with upbeat, melodic and culturally authentic music, enhanced by educational liner notes.
Putumayo also launched the Putumayo World Music Hour in 2000. The first commercially-syndicated world music radio show, it is now heard internationally on more than 170 commercial and non-commercial stations.
In 2006, Putumayo presented Acoustic Africa, a CD and an exciting international concert tour featuring Habib Koite, Vusi Mahlasela and Dobet Gnahoré in more than 40 venues throughout the U.S. and Europe. Putumayo Kids also inaugurated a U.S. Reggae Playground tour featuring Trinidadian artist Asheba to 10 markets, which was followed in 2007 by an Animal Playground tour to 30 zoos and other venues across America. Putumayo also presents concerts, release parties, in-store performances and other events.
The company’s commitment to helping communities in the countries where the music originates has led to the label contributing more than a million dollars to worthwhile non-profit organizations around the world. After Katrina, Putumayo embarked on a campaign to raise funds and awareness for musicians and others affected by the hurricane. Putumayo has contributed more than $250,000 of the proceeds from New Orleans and its other New Orleans-themed CDs to charities working in New Orleans and New Orleans musicians. Other charitable recipients include Coffee Kids, Oxfam, Mercy Corps, Search for Common Ground and more.
In April 2008, Putumayo celebrates its 15th anniversary with the release of African Party.The CD will feature many of Africa’s greatest artists, including the band Kotoja, whose uplifting San Francisco concert in 1991 inspired Dan Storper to launch the label.
In 2006, Putumayo was pleased to introduce Cumbancha, a new label founded by Putumayo A&R Jacob Edgar. In collaboration with Putumayo, Cumbancha will release exceptional artists that Jacob has gotten to know over the years. Putumayo will help to distribute and promote these releases in various markets around the world. Some of Cumbancha’s first releases include Ska Cubano, The Idan Raichel Project and Andy Palacio & the Garifuna Collective.
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