MADRID, Spain.- Salsa, a popular musical genre in Latin America, the United States and some regions of Europe, has its origins in Cuba. The mixture of the musical styles of the African slaves with those of the Spanish colonists was the basis of what would later be known as salsa.
Although it was not until the 60s that it was established as a musical genre, the result of the union of the Cuban son with other genres of Caribbean and American music such as jazz and blues. It achieved commercial success during these years in New York, where there was a large Hispanic community that represented Latin music through this genre.
In 1967, the Italian-American businessman Jerry Masucci and the Dominican flutist Johnny Pacheco, together with the New York record label Fania Records, gave rise to “Fania All Stars”, a salsa project that brought together the most recognized Latin voices of the moment; among them Héctor Lavoe, Willie Colón, Bobby Cruz, Bobby Valentín, Ray Barreto, Ismael Miranda, Rubén Blades, Justo Betancourt, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria Y Celia Cruz. The project featured these musicians on numerous international stages.
Among the fundamental characteristics of salsa is the rhythm, with the base and rhythmic pattern of the Cuban son. Among the typical instruments are those of Cuban percussion popularized since the 1920s such as pailas or timbales, bongó, güiro, cowbell and maracas. In addition to percussion, the instrumentation is completed with piano, double bass, trumpets, saxophone, trombones, flute and violin.
The genre spread throughout Latin America, but each region made its own adaptations. That is why salsa is not danced in the same way in Cuba as it is in the Dominican Republic, Venezuela or Colombia.
In European countries like Spain it is also very popular. Even today, there are more and more places and dance schools where salsa dancing is taught.
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