Latin Music in Kansas City

Find out where to enjoy Latin music in Kansas City, from clubs to concerts and more.

The History of Latin Music in Kansas City

The Latin music scene in Kansas City has a long and storied history. From the early days of Cuban and Puerto Rican migrants in the early 1900s to today’s thriving scene, Latin music has always had a home in Kansas City. In this article, we’ll explore the history of Latin music in Kansas City, from its humble beginnings to its current place in the city’s cultural landscape.

The influence of Cuban and Puerto Rican immigrants in the early 1900s

In the early 1900s, Kansas City was known as the “City of Fountains” because of the more than 200 fountains scattered throughout the city. The city was also home to a large number of Cuban and Puerto Rican immigrants who brought with them a love for Latin music. These immigrants had a significant impact on the development of Latin music in Kansas City.

One of the earliest and most influential Latin bands in Kansas City was the Cuban-American bandleader, Perez Prado. Prado’s band became known for their Mambo music, which was a new style of music that blended Cuban and American influences. The popularity of Prado’s band helped to make Kansas City a hotspot for Latin music in the United States.

In the 1950s,Kansas City became home to another influential Latin bandleader, Tito Puente. Puente’s band played a style of music called salsa, which was a mix of Puerto Rican and Cuban rhythms. Puente’s band was so popular that they often played to sold-out crowds at Kansas City’s Municipal Auditorium.

Today, Latin music is still very popular in Kansas City. There are several Latin bands that play regularly in the city, and there are also a number of annual Latin music festivals that take place in Kansas City.

The rise of salsa in the 1970s

In the 1970s, a new generation of Latino immigrants began to arrive in Kansas City from countries like Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. These new arrivals brought with them a love for Latin music, and soon salsa bands began to spring up all over the city.

One of the most popular salsa bands of the era was La Excelencia, which was formed by Cuban-born musician César López in 1977. La Excelencia quickly became a fixture on the Kansas City music scene, and their high-energy live shows were a hit with both Latino and non-Latino audiences alike.

The rise of salsa in Kansas City continued into the 1980s and 1990s, with bands like Son Boricua and Grupo Fantasma keeping theLatin music flame alive. Today, there is a vibrant Latin music scene in Kansas City, with salsa bands still performing regularly at clubs and festivals around town.

The popularity of Latin music in the 21st century

While the popularity of Latin music has exploded in recent years, the roots of the genre can be traced back centuries. The history of Latin music in Kansas City is a long and rich one, with influence from a variety of cultures.

Latin music first began to take root in Kansas City in the early 1900s, when immigrants from Mexico and Puerto Rico began to settle in the city. These new residents brought with them a love for traditional Mexican and Puerto Rican folk music, which quickly began to gain popularity among the city’s Hispanic population.

As Latin music began to spread beyond the Hispanic community, it started to gain a wider following in Kansas City. In the 1950s and ‘60s, Cuban and Dominican immigrants introduced new styles of Latin music to the city, including salsa and merengue. These genres quickly became popular among both Hispanics and non-Hispanics alike.

Today, Latin music enjoys widespread popularity in Kansas City. A variety ofLatin styles can be heard on radio stations and at live venues throughout the city. And with a growing Hispanic population, it’s likely that Latin music will continue to play an important role in Kansas City’s musical landscape for years to come.

The Different Types of Latin Music in Kansas City

From Bachata to Cumbia, there are many different types of Latin music in Kansas City. And each type of music has its own unique history and sound. In this article, we’ll take a look at the different types of Latin music in Kansas City and what makes each one special.

Salsa

Originating in Cuba, salsa has been described as a “synthesis of Afro-Cuban and Spanish music.” It is a popular style throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States. In Kansas City, there are many places to go to enjoy salsa music and dancing.

Cuban-style salsa, also known as casino salsa, is a popular style in Kansas City. This style of salsa is danced in pairs and is characterized by quick turns and fast footwork. Cuban-style salsa is often danced to fast-paced songs with a 4/4 beat.

Another popular style of salsa in Kansas City is Puerto Rican-style salsa, also known as New York-style salsa. This style originated in New York City in the 1970s and is characterized by intricate footwork and fast turns. Puerto Rican-style salsa is often danced to faster songs with a 4/4 or 6/8 beat.

There are also many other styles of salsa that are popular in Kansas City, including Cuban son, Colombian cumbia, Mexican regional styles such as Son Jarocho and Mariachi music, and African styles such as mambo and merengue. Whatever your preference, you can find a place to enjoy Latin music and dancing in Kansas City!

Merengue

Merengue is a type of Latin music that originated in the Dominican Republic. It is usually played with a drum, guitar, and bass. The tempo is fast and the lyrics are often about love or dancing.

Merengue is popular in Kansas City, especially among the Hispanic community. There are many clubs and bars that play merengue music, and it is also common to hear it played at parties and festivals.

Bachata

Bachata is a musical genre of Latin America that originated in the Dominican Republic in the early 1960s. Bachata is a popular music style that is heard not just in the Dominican Republic, but also Mexico, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and throughout Central and South America. The music is characterized by its slow, sensual rhythms and often has themes of love, heartbreak, and loss. Bachata can be danced either solo or as a couple, and is often performed with live instruments such as guitars, drums, and percussion.

Reggaeton

Reggaeton is a type of Latin hip hop that originates from Puerto Rico. It typically features a reggae-inspired beat and Spanish lyrics. Reggaeton is often considered to be aggressive and sexual in nature, and its popularity has grown in recent years. There are many famous reggaeton artists, such as Daddy Yankee and Don Omar.

The Best Places to Hear Latin Music in Kansas City

The Blue Room

The Blue Room is a jazz club in the American Jazz Museum in the historic 18th & Vine District of Kansas City, Missouri. The club features live Latin music on Thursdays nights.

The Bottleneck

The Bottleneck is located in Downtown Lawrence and is a great place to catch some Latin music. This venue boasts a large stage that is perfect for live bands and also has a dance floor so you can really get your groove on. The Bottleneck regularly features Latin music nights with some of the best DJs and bands in the city, so be sure to check their schedule to see who is playing when.

The Riot Room

The Riot Room is one of the most popular places to go for live music in Kansas City, and it’s also a great place to hear Latin music. The venue has a large stage that is perfect for bands, and the sound system is top-notch. The Riot Room has a full bar, and the staff is very friendly. There is a cover charge on some nights, but it’s usually very reasonable.

The Future of Latin Music in Kansas City

The increasing popularity of Latin music

Latin music has been gaining popularity in Kansas City in recent years, thanks to the city’s growing Hispanic population. According to a 2017 report from the Pew Research Center, Hispanics made up 9 percent of the city’s population, up from 5 percent in 2000.

This increase has led to a corresponding increase in the demand for Latin music. In 2017, there were an estimated 21 Latin music clubs in the city, up from just four in 2000. This growth is expected to continue in the coming years, as more and more people are exposed to and fall in love with Latin music.

One of the most popular genres of Latin music is salsa. Salsa clubs have proliferated throughout Kansas City, and the city is home to several well-known salsa bands, such as Xplosion Latino and La BombaKC. If you’re looking for a place to dance the night away, KC is the place to be!

Other popular genres of Latin music include merengue, bachata, and cumbia. Whatever your taste, you’re sure to find something you like in KC’s vibrant Latin music scene.

The rise of new genres of Latin music

In recent years, there has been a significant rise in the popularity of Latin music in Kansas City. This rise can be attributed to the emergence of new genres of Latin music, such as reggaeton and trap, which have become increasingly popular among young people in the city.

With the rise of these new genres, there has also been an increase in the number of Latin music events and festivals being held in Kansas City. One of the most notable examples is the annual KC Latin Festival, which is now in its fourth year and features a wide variety of Latin music, dance, and food.

As the popularity of Latin music continues to grow in Kansas City, it is likely that we will see even more events and festivals being held in the city in the future. This growth will not only be good for the Latin music scene in Kansas City, but it will also be good for the city as a whole, as it will help to promote cultural diversity and understanding.