Putumayo World Music was established in 1993 to introduce people to the music of the world’s cultures. The label was started as an offshoot of the Putumayo clothing and handicraft company, after its founder, Dan Storper, was surprised by the extraordinary response to the international music he had begun playing in his stores.

The company is known for its joyful compilations of great international music that support the Putumayo motto: “Guaranteed to make you feel good!” 

By combining appealing music and striking visual aesthetics with creative retail marketing, Putumayo has developed a unique brand identity, a rarity in today’s artist-based music industry.

Radio playlists include well-known names like Bob Marley, Sting, Loreena McKennitt, and Santana, along with exceptional, underexposed international artists. The one-hour radio program also features interviews with world-class music makers such as Los Lobos, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, and Taj Mahal who eagerly support and have been influenced by world music.

The company is considered a music industry pioneer and leader in developing the non-traditional retail market and has built a global network of more than 5,000 book, gift, craft, clothing, health food and other specialty retailers that play its music and sell its CDs. Storper’s vision of establishing a global company and lifestyle brand has been furthered with offices in the Europe, Latin America and Australia and distribution in more than 80 countries. The company’s commitment to helping communities in the countries where the music originates has led to the label contributing more than one million dollars to non-profit organizations around the world.