Salsa Dance History

Salsa Dance History

History of Salsa Music

As is true with many types of Latin dances, it can be difficult to discuss Salsa dance history without first talking about the history of Salsa music. One of the most direct antecedents of the music is the Cuban Son. Son was being played as early as the 16th century, but it truly gained popularity in the late 1800s. It is a mix of Spanish music and African rhythms and instruments indicative of the New World - the traditions of the Spanish colonists mixed with the culture of the African slaves brought to work on their plantations.

Origin of the Name

The word means "sauce" in Spanish; it brings to mind the spiciness of the dances. When Latin dance was introduced in the United States, the word Salsa was sometimes used to describe any dance of Latin origin. Fania, one of the first record labels to release Latin music in the U.S., chose the name to classify its releases, and the name became official. Fania's promotional efforts were instrumental in spreading the appeal of the music and dance genre. In fact, they were so connected with its spread that they were sometimes called the Latin Motown.

Problems With the Name

Because the name was created with marketing in mind, it has been the cause of debate. Even though the dance has developed its own personality in the United States, some artists of Latin descent don't recognize the term. They don't appreciate this lumping together of such diverse music and dances. Others feel that the term is an attempt to whitewash the dances' Cuban roots, given the general political sentiment in regards to Cuba since the rise of Castro. Yet in the end, the name doesn't really matter for most Latin dance afficionados. If someone enjoys Salsa, a question of semantics isn't going to keep them from the music and dance they love.

Included Dances

Just like its namesake music grew from the Cuban Son, the first dances called Salsa came from distinctly Cuban dances like the Mambo, Rumba and Cha Cha Cha. The Mambo has its roots in the Spanish contradanzas of the 1700s. The Cuban people added their own flavor to this staid European social dance. The Cha Cha Cha is a more recently developed dance. It grew from modifications to the Mambo style in the early 1950s. The Rumba is another dance based on African beats.

A New Mix

Even though Salsa began as a catchall term for a diverse group of dances, it also took on a personality all its own. New York musicians were known for adding elements of jazz to the sound, and dancers sometimes borrowed moves and a tendency to improvise from swing dance.

Additional Resources

Several online sources provide a more thorough look at Salsa dance history:

• The Salsa and Merengue Society describes the history of the dance, from its African roots to its current cultural status. The information is available in English and Spanish.
• Salsa in Cuba offers an overview of the dance, including its history and descriptions of the many dances that fall under its umbrella. The site is available in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian, a testament to the dance form's international appeal.
• The New York Times looks back at the history of Fania and the label's recent return with several reissues.