-
Fun Fact:
American soldiers were the first U.S. citizens who became aware of what eventually became known as salsa during the Cuban War of 1898 -
Fun Fact #2:
In 1909, first radio recordings of what would be later known as Salsa came out of Cuba. -
The Roots of Salsa
It began in 1920 and originated in Eastern Cuba. It took two forms of music and combined them from the Cuban Son and Afro-Cuban dance -
Salsa Dance Begins
Brief history says that the Salsa dancing was initially developed into a particular dance until the 1940's. It was heavily influenced by Afro-Cuba traditions and dance styles such as Mambo, Guaguanco and Danzon. -
Rise of the Salsa
By the 1950's many Cuban and Puerto Rican people including musicians settled in the US. This created the environment where salsa music completed its development. “El Barrio” (Spanish Harlem) was the main place where this occurred. Many bands were formed; immigrants continued to make Afro-Caribbean music, but they adapted the sound to their new world. They were influenced especially by American jazz. Gradually in the 50s and 60s, salsa as we know it today was emerging. -
Fun Fact #4:
Elvis Presley, The Diamonds, Sam Cooke, Johnny Otis, Nat King Cole and Bo Diddley helped popularising Latin music by implanting Cuban music elements into their hits and helping popularize the Salsa. -
The Fania Records
Founded in 1964 and contributed widely to the rise of Salsa. Started by Johnny Pacheco and Jerry Masucci. It became the most influential record label in Latin America and they called the sound Salsa. So many artists became famous with the promotion of the record label. -
The 80's
The type of salsa music that Fania promoted came to be referred to as “hard salsa.” Then in the 80s, another style of salsa which was softer and more romantic was born, with artists like Gilberto Santa Rosa. Around this time, Latin musicians began to have an impact on mainstream U.S. music. Latin music was becoming trendy here and beginning to intrigue the rest of the world as well. -
The 90's
The 90's were a time when Salsa enjoyed an increasing popularity on a global basis. In the later part of the decade the first World Salsa Congress was held in Puerto Rico , and soon congresses were being held all over the world. Salsa was no longer a purely Latino domain, it was embraced by many peoples in cultures around the world. -
Fun Fact #3:
The movie “Dance with Me” first featured Cuban Salsa (Rueda) dancing and thus popularised the dance in the U.S. -
Present Day
Salsa is one of the most dynamic and important musical phenomena of the 1900's and today it remains one of the most popular style of music is Spanish communities. -
Fun Fact #5:
Salsa as a dance can be seen in all the places mentioned. Unlike standard ballroom dancing, there is no clear agreement on how it should be danced, and the methods differ widely in detail. The teaching of salsa is also rather undeveloped. But, as a general guide, salsa dancing is rather like other dances from Cuba, such as the Cha-Cha-Cha.
