About Us
About Us
Putumayo
Putumayo began in 1975 as a Latin American handicraft shop in New York City, by then 23-year old founder Dan Storper. Dan majored in Latin American Studies, and on a trip to Colombia found himself in the Putumayo river valley where he fell in love with the indigenous handicrafts, people, and countryside. The company grew to seven shops and a wholesale business selling international handicrafts and women’s clothing to 600 boutiques.
In 1991, on his return from Indonesia Dan stopped in San Francisco where in Golden Gate Park he happened upon an African band named Kotoja – who was performing upbeat music to a happy, dancing crowd. That chance occurrence led Dan to start the Putumayo World Music record label with his friend Michael Kraus in 1993. For over 30 years, Putumayo World Music was known for its joyful compilations of international music, featuring album covers illustrated by British artist Nicola Heindl.
In 2023, Putumayo Digital Media was formed to focus on digital music and playlisting. They started Putumayo Discovery, a record label and playlist curator that seeks to highlight underrepresented musical talents from across the globe. Every month, Putumayo Discovery releases two 10-track digital albums featuring appealing songs by contemporary artists representing diverse world cultures and traditions. The label harnesses the strength of the trusted Putumayo brand, which has been sharing the joy of exceptional music for over 30 years through accessible and beloved compilations that are “guaranteed to make you feel good!”
Putumayo Discovery’s albums and playlists are carefully researched and curated by real people with decades of experience, not AI. Highlighting talented musicians that draw on the cultural threads of humanity, the label champions authenticity over algorithms. By connecting listeners with inspiring artists from near and far, Putumayo Discovery aspires to foster global understanding and cross-cultural appreciation through the unique power of music.
In 1999, Putumayo launched its children’s division, Putumayo Kids, with the ground-breaking release, World Playground. The album quickly became a staple in classrooms and homes around the world. After winning many Parents' Choice, National Parenting and other awards, Putumayo Kids has become known as the leading source of international music for children.