LET'S SALSA!

“Salsa” is a generic term given to this specific dance as a result of various kinds of Latin music, dances and cultures mixed together. To understand its origins, it is important to start out with the history of one of its precursor: the mambo.

Cuban musicians such as “Cachao” Lopez and his brother Orestes are credited with inventing the Mambo back in Cuba in the late 1930’s. When the rhythm reached the U.S. it was quickly picked up and changed by the Big Band ensembles of the day.

A mania for mambo surfaced in New York City in the late 1940’s and 1950’s. Latin bands led by Tito Puente and Tito Rodriguez packed the famous Palladium Dance Hall with their powerful horns and Afro-Cuban percussion sections.

Dancers were known as “Mambo Nicks” and dance teachers did a good business explaining the new rhythm. “Rumba with Jitterbug” is how one magazine of the period described it. The term salsa (meaning “hot sauce”) was invented in the late 1960’s to illustrate the Latin music evolving in New York City at that time; a fusion of Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cuban, American and other styles.

As a dance, its relatively small steps characterize Salsa dance, a noticeable pause on the “slow”, Cuban motion, as well as speedy, sharp and compact movements.

Today Salsa, has taken many forms. You may hear of styles such as Salsa on 2, Salsa Casino Rueda, Miami Style among others but regardless of the style, salsa continues to be one of the most popular Latin dances around the world!

Alison Glancz and Mario Recoba performing the Mambo