Latin Music in the USA: Salsa

The United States is home to a vibrant and diverse Latin music scene, with salsa being one of the most popular genres. In this blog post, we explore the history of salsa in the US and its current place in the music landscape.

The History of Salsa

Salsa is a genre of Latin music that originated in the Cuban regions of Oriente and Havana in the late 1960s. The music was initially a blend of Cuban son, Afro-Cuban percussion, and Puerto Rican bomba and plena. The genre quickly gained popularity in other Latin American countries, such as Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Venezuela. In the 1970s, salsa became a hugely popular genre in the United States, with artists such as Willie Colón, Celia Cruz, and Héctor Lavoe gaining popularity.

Origins in Cuba

The origin of salsa is often thought to be Miami, but its history can be traced back to Cuba in the early 1900s. Cuban son, which developed in the rural eastern provinces of Oriente and Guantanamo, was immensely popular in Cuba’s urban centers, particularly Havana. In the 1930s and ‘40s, big bands began playing Cuban son for dancers in nightclubs like the famous Tropicana.

Salsa’s African roots are evident in its use of clave, a West African rhythm that was brought to Cuba by slaves. The Cuban son groups of the 1930s and ‘40s used clave to structure their songs, and this tradition was continued by salsa musicians in the United States. The Afro-Cuban percussion instrument known as the conga also plays an important role in salsa music.

The New York Scene

While mambo was being created and perfected in Cuba, a very different kind of music was being developed in New York City by salsa pioneers such as Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, and Johnny Pacheco. This “New York” style of salsa is more jazz-influenced than the Cuban version, and it relies heavily on horns and piano rather than congas and timbales. The result is a more syncopated, complex sound that can be quite overwhelming to the uninitiated.

Salsa Today

While the origins of salsa date back to the 1940s in Cuba, the genre didn’t gain widespread popularity in the United States until the 1970s. Since then, salsa has become one of the most popular Latin dances in the US, with a particular focus in New York City.

The Popularity of Salsa

The popularity of salsa music in the United States can be traced back to the early 20th century when Cuban and Puerto Rican immigrants brought their music with them as they moved to cities like New York and Miami. The musical style quickly gained popularity in the Latino community and soon began to cross over into the mainstream.

In the 1970s, salsa evolved from a Cuban-based musical style to include elements of Puerto Rican bomba and plena, as well as Colombian cumbia and Mexican son. This new, more diverse form of salsa became known as “Latin” or “Spanish” Harlem salsa.

The 1980s saw a renewed interest in Cuban music, which helped to popularize Cuban-style salsa. Cuban singer-songwriter Rubén Blades was one of the most successful Latin artists of the decade, crossing over into the mainstream with his blend of salsa, jazz, and R&B.

In the 1990s, salsa continued to evolve, incorporating more African rhythms and sounds. The popularity of Venezuelan singer Oscar D’León and Dominican merengue singer Juan Luis Guerra helped to spread these new influences. By the end of the decade, salsa had become one of the most popular genres in Latin America and the United States.

Salsa in the Media

Salsa began appearing in American popular culture in the 1960s. In 1965, the musical “The Roar of the Greasepaint—The Smell of the Crowd” featured a song called “Beggin’,” which included the lyrics “Everybody’s doin’ a brand new dance now (C’mon) / Doin’ the Pachanga.” The 1967 film “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” featured a Latin band playing Tito Puente’s hit song “Oye Como Va.” And in 1968, Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass had a No. 1 pop hit with their cover of Puerto Rican musician Rafael Hernandez’s “The Lonely Bull.”

In the 1970s, salsa began appearing in more mainstream pop music. In 1974, Frank Sinatra recorded the album “Trilogy: Past Present Future,” which included a version of Puente’s “Oye Como Va.” The 1974 film “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three” featured Puerto Rican singer Hector Lavoe singing his hit song “El Cantante.” And in 1975, British rock group Led Zeppelin released their album “Physical Graffiti,” which included a reworked version of Hernandez’s “The Immigrant Song” with new lyrics about immigration written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant.

Salsa continued to gain popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1986, Madonna released her album “True Blue,” which included the smash hit single “La Isla Bonita,” which featured Cuban singer Luis Miguel on backup vocals. In 1991, Willie Colón and Rubén Blades won a Grammy Award for their duet “Cuenta conmigo (estingue la llama.)” And in 1997, Gloria Estefan won two Grammy Awards for her album “Mi Tierra,” which included the hitsingle “No Me Dejes de Querer.”

Today, salsa is more popular than ever, with new artists emerging all the time. This musical genre has truly become a global phenomenon, with fans all over the world enjoying its catchy beats and infectious rhythms.

The Future of Salsa

Salsa is a genre of Latin music that originated in the Cuban-American communities in the 1960s. The name salsa is a Spanish word meaning “sauce”, and is used to describe a variety of different sauces used in Latin American cuisine. The genre of music known as salsa is a fusion of Cuban Son, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and Puerto Rican Bomba and Plena.

The Growth of Salsa

Salsa, a vibrant and popular style of Latin music, has its roots in Cuba and Puerto Rico. The music is a blend of Cuban son and Afro-Cuban rhythms with Latin America and Caribbean influences. salsa is often associated with the energy and passion of its dancers.

The popularity of salsa exploded in the 1970s, thanks in part to the work of Cuban-born composer and bandleader Celia Cruz. Her infectious sound captivated audiences around the world, and she quickly became the “Queen of Salsa.”

Since then, salsa has continued to grow in popularity, especially in the United States. The music has been embraced by people of all backgrounds, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

There are many different styles of salsa, from the more traditional Cuban sound to the more modern Puerto Rican style. No matter what your preference, there is sure to be a type of salsa that you will enjoy.

The Impact of Technology

The rise of digital music and streaming services has had a profound impact on the music industry, and Latin music has been no exception. In recent years, there has been a significant shift in the way that people consume salsa music, with more and more people moving away from traditional formats such as CDs and vinyl records in favor of digital options such as streaming platforms and downloads. This change in consumption habits has had a number of consequences for the salsa industry, both positive and negative.

On the one hand, the increased availability of salsa music online has made it easier than ever for fans to access the music they love. In addition, streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music have introduced salsa music to a whole new audience who may not have otherwise discovered it. However, on the other hand, the move to digital has also meant that sales of physical formats have declined sharply, leading to financial difficulty for some salsa artists and labels.

It remains to be seen what the future hold for salsa music in the digital age, but one thing is certain: the impact of technology will continue to be felt for years to come.