Salsa
Salsa is a vibrant Latin dance music genre fusing Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz and big band influences. Defined by infectious clave beats, intricate percussion, lively brass, syncopated piano guajeos, and call-and-response vocals that ignite joy, passion, and communal dance floor energy.
Origin: Born in New York City's Latino barrios among Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Dominican immigrants; synthesizes Afro-Cuban son, rumba, and bomba with jazz and R&B for urban dance scenes.
Era: Emerged in 1960s New York, evolving from 1930s-50s Cuban son, mambo, and guaracha; peaks in 1970s 'Fania All-Stars' era, continues with modern fusions.
