Salsa Music & Salsa Dancing

Salsa Music

Salsa music is influenced by many different rhythms and music styles from different countries. It takes it origins from Africa. In the 1800's it was influenced with Cuban "son" - a mix of Spanish music, the African drumbeat and the beat of the clave but when many US citizens moved to Cuba in the early 1900's, the brass bands which followed contributed brass to the Cuban percussion enhancing the music further.

During the Cuban migration to America during the late 1950's Latin music developed out of Miami and New York where the influx of Cuban and Puerto Rican immigrants merged these Latin styles and sounds with American influences such as the 1940's Jazz.

'Salsa' is an umbrella term created in the 60's and 70's to describe this Latin music and the music now has worldwide influences.

Salsa Dancing

Salsa dance uses many steps borrowed from different dances. The salsa rhythm is danced over 8 beats and is mainly a 'couple' dance where the man leads and the lady will follow. The dancing can be fast but everyone can add their own style. Its fun and sociable and people are friendly.