61 Salsa Music Facts That Will Have Your Feet Tapping!
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The music of the Caribbean and Latin America is called salsa music.
It came to New York in the year 1970. It is mostly a Cuban-influenced music genre.
Cuban musicians of Bantu Descent are the original creators of salsa. It comprises African and European cultures.
The word salsa invokes excitement among Latin music lovers all around the world. The dance, music, and rhythm make people dance. Though there is still a conflict as to where the dance form was originated, its popularity has always been at its peek.
Facts About Salsa Music
Salsa first originated in Eastern Cuba in the year 1920. More songs are based on Son Montana. It is now considered a staple of Latin American Music.
Son Cubano is known as the core of salsa music.
In Cuba's Oriente Province, Son Cubano started spawning from rhumba, cumbia, and Regina folklore styles.
Son Cubano music found its way to Havana in the early 1900s.
It became popular in central and south America. American record labels saw the popularity of this Latin music and began promoting it.
Salsa dancing didn't come into the picture till the '70s, unlike salsa music which was present since the year 1920.
The most suitable music is from 150 beats per minute to 250 beats per minute for salsa dancing.
There are many different styles of salsa music, Colombian salsa, Cuban salsa, Afro-Latino, and Miami salsa.
Salsa was initially a cry that musicians used while performing Latin-American-style music. It eventually turned into a form of dance and music.
Origins Of Salsa Music
Izzy Sanabria, a Puerto Rican Music promoter is known to have first used the term salsa for this music. The word salsa was introduced in the 1973 show 'Salsa'.
The reason behind the naming of salsa music is vague and unclear.
Some suggest that the name came from food, as salsa is influenced by many cultures.
Different salsa forms have distinctive sounds of their country of origin.
As salsa is a mix of different spices used in Latin America, the name salsa also symbolizes a mix of different cultures.
Different countries have different forms of salsa. For example, Colombian salsa is different from Puerto Rican salsa.
Salsa is also known to have Cuban influence and Latin Jazz elements to it.
Puerto Ricans made the music form popular by taking Latin Jazz and refining the sound.
The salsa dance is also inspired by many Latin dances such as mambo, flamenco, and tango to name a few.
The salsa music playing on dance floors has afro Cuban elements to it, too.
Salsa music form was popular, but it reached its peak once the salsa dance accompanied it.
In the early 20th century in the United States of America, the salsa dance form took its place.
It was first popular in Cuba, and slowly salsa's popularity spread to New York.
Spanish Harlem is also known as El Barrio was known to be the place of origin of salsa music.
This music form has seen a lot of musical influences and further evolved in 1950 and 1960.
Instruments Used In Salsa Music
Timbales, bongos, and congas are the main drums in most salsa bands. Los Van Van experimented 50 years of his life with charanga and trombone.
The people who sing in salsa music are called soneros.
Tres is a musical instrument used in salsa music.
Tres is a Cuban instrument used for making music similar to a guitar.
Conga drums are also used in Cuban music which has a heavy influence on the salsa music style.
Many percussion instruments such as conga, cowbell, and clave are also used for modern salsa.
Saxophone and trumpet are also used in salsa music.
Colombian salsa songs are popular for salsa dancers.
Latin musicians and Cuban artists have heavily influenced different salsa styles.
Casinos which are a cultural part of Latin Americans are derived from the word dance halls in which salsa dancing was done.
The salsa dance style is considered an international dance form and is popular in metropolitan cities around the world.
The dance floor is filled with graceful movements and lively costumes during this Latin dance.
Palladium Ballroom in New York City was famous for holding salsa dance events.
Many Latin musicians and immigrants came here to practice their native dance form.
The Cali-style salsa dance form was popular among beginners and amateurs.
Ballroom salsa became popular in the late 20th century and during the early 21st century.
Casino-style salsa is popular among the European, Middle-Eastern, and American countries emerging in 1970.
Latin style salsa is famous for its theatrical and acrobatic performances
Famous Salsa Music Artists
Many Bands, trios, duets, orchestras, and soloists have spawned from salsa music. Peru, Cuba, the United States, and Puerto Rican countries are famous for their contribution to this musical form.
Many salsa music artists are of Puerto Rican heritage.
Brazil, Venezuela, and Colombia are also countries that have renowned salsa musicians.
Johnny Pacheco is known as the king of salsa, as he is a famous salsa singer.
He was of Dominican heritage and a nine-time Grammy winner.
He was a record producer, a musician, and a composer of this Afro Cuban musical style.
In the year 2005, the Latin Recording Academy awarded him the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Karen Forcano and Ricardo Vega are the best-known salsa dancers in the world.
Their dance consists of acrobatic lifts and cabaret-style salsa.
Hector Lavoe is also a famous salsa singer known for his unique nasal voice.
The Fania all stars in the year 1968 are also famous for their contribution to salsa music.
They were a band in New York under the label Fania records.
They are known as the leading salsa record label of all time.
Celia Cruz is a famous Latin singer of the 20th century.
She is considered the Queen of Salsa, as her music career lasted for over 60 years.
She was an inspiration to Afro Latin Americans, to embrace their heritage.
Manhattan in New York city is considered the place where sals became popular.
A recording label called Fania promoted the dance form Salsa.
The salsa dance form has elements of flamenco, tango, and mambo.
The Cuban war of 1898 also had a great influence in spreading the popularity of this dance form.
Clubs in Havana increased in spreading the salsa dance style across the United States.
The year 1970 saw many salsa artists emerging from the US.
Willie Colon, Reuben Blades, Fania All-Stars, and Johny Pacheco were some of the notable musicians of this genre.
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