History of Salsa
Salsa started in the early 1900s but not as we hear it today. As time went on, different instruments were added until it was molded into the sound we hear today. The term salsa was created because of the variety of different music it has mixed into it. First, it started in Cuba with an English/French musical genre called Danzón, which was brought over by the French. In Cuba, Danzón began to mix with the Rhumbas of African origin. Són, which is a music genre that started in Cuba, then was added to Danzón. As time went on Spanish and Afro-Cuban musical elements were added. Finally, part of American Jazz was added to it and this completed the salsa sound. The salsa music heard around this time is known as “hard salsa.” In the 80s a more softer and romantic style began to emerge. Both types of salsa can be heard today. Salsa has become so popular that people from different ethnicity listen and dance to salsa. There are latin clubs and dance socials where salsa is played in almost every part of the globe. Once a year, salsa festival events can be seen all over the world, from right here in the Los Angeles County all the way to Tokyo, Japan and everywhere in between!
What is Salsa?
A short instrumental history on the evolution of salsa.
“Hard Salsa” example. Tommy Olivencia and his orchestra Feat. Chamaco Ramirez singing “Trucutu”