Larry Harlow was Jewish, not Latino - but 'El Judio Maravilloso' changed the world of Latin music

(JTA) - Fania Records, often called the "Motown of Latin Music," announced the passing of Larry Harlow on social media last week. Once the record label broke the news on Aug. 20, a who's who of Latin music offered tributes.

"Larry's contributions to what today is known as salsa are immense," seven-time Grammy nominee Bobby Sanabria wrote on Facebook. "A true part of NYC's history has been lost [...] to our Latino community and it is heartfelt."

But Harlow, whose paternal grandfather was the theater critic for The Jewish Daily Forward, was neither Latino, nor did he have Latin American roots. I...