Salsa is used sometimes as a reference to the "music" Salsa, while
at other times it is used as a reference to the "dance" Salsa. Sometimes,
it is used interchangably. Salsa as a music evolved very much at the
same time Salsa as a dance evolved. Their histories are intimately
tied together going back to its origins in Havana, Cuba.
A History of the Music
The roots of Salsa lie in Cuba. Its direct predecessor is an Afro-Cuban
style of music called "son". Son (pronounced "sone") began in 1868 at the time of Cuba's
independence from Spain. It is a blend of the African rhythms brought
to Cuba by African slaves and Spanish guitars. Son is a highly syncopated
musical style, which in later years has been influenced by American
jazz and popular music. Originally played by 3, then 6, then 7 musicians,
today, albums such as the "Buena Vista Social Club" contain big band
versions of son.
In the late fifties, a flood of Cuban musicians migrated to New York City
and brought with them Mambo and Bolero and Charanga in addition to son.
Once in New York, and particularly in Spanish Harlem, these Cubans rubbed
shoulders with Puerto Rican jazz musicians and produced a new amalgam.
In 1971, under the record label Fania Records, Salsa was born.
A History of the Dance
In Cuba during the fifties the social clubs of the day were the casinos.
Salsa evolved from its infancy to the sophisticated form of dance that
it is today in these casinos. Two popular clubs where salsa originated
are El Casino de La Playa and El Casino Deportivo. When the Cuban
government was overthrown by the Castro regime, many Cubans emigrated
to other Carribean, South American and North American countries. One
of the places that many Cubans fled to was Miami, Florida. Salsa and
La Rueda
was resurrected in Miami and eventually spread to salsero
communities all over the United States. This is why Miami style salsa
is also referred to as "Casino" style salsa. Because Miami style salsa
is the original style of salsa created in the casino social clubs of
Havana, Cuba.
Salsa Today
Today salsa continues to thrive. It is still growing and changing as
salseros innovate new ways to twist and twirl the night away. Salsa
is one of many Latin Style dances that include Cha Cha Cha, Mambo, and
Tango to name a few. Its rich history and wide attraction has given it
a permanent place in the theatres and dance clubs of today.
