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 Salsa is an amazing style of dance built-in the rhythm of different Afro-Caribbean sounds of the old styles like Son, Guaracha and Cumbia within the modern beats, for example Hip hop.
Then, like a tree, Salsa has many roots and many branches, but one trunk that unites us all. The important thing is that Salsa is played throughout the world and has received influences of many places within it. Thats why salsa is in a constant evolution up today and that’s why everybody wants to dance SALSA!!!
"No me pongan más nada - que va?! Que yo lo que quiero es Salsa!" José Alberto 'El Canario'
To read more about salsa click here.
Before we wil become absorbed in the basic characteristic of salsa it’s very good to know the origin of the word SALSA.
Salsa means „sauce” in Spanish language, and carries connotations of the spiciness of Latin cuisine. It represent the rich and vivid Caribbean life. Cuban and Puerto Rican immigrants in New York have used the term „swing” or „soul” to refer to emotions and culture of genuine music in the African American society. So all in all, this word is a connotation of the either „spiciness” and „wildness” of Caribbean music which consists of African and Latin roots.
It’s also good to know that the first ever performer to use this word was Ignacio Pineiro in his song titled Echale Salsita which was supposed to be his objection to tasteless food.
Salsa music is traditionally based on eight-beat rhythmical phrase. Every second beat is stronger and easier to notice (usually played on instrument called campana); in every phrase we can hear two times double strikes of a kong (cub. tumbadora). (That’s why salsa’s time signature is 4/4).
 A pair of claves
The frame of the whole salsa rhythm is signatured by clave (a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of short (about 20-30 cm), thick dowels. Normally they are made of wood but nowadays they are also made of fibreglass or plastics due to the longer durability of these materials. When struck they produce a bright clicking noise. Claves are sometimes hollow and carved in the middle to amplify the sound).
The background music is played on percussion instruments. Those rhythms are way more complicated and diverse. All that combinated together is a source of many styles of salsa: Puerto Rican, Rueda de Casino, Cuban or New York Style.
Casino
It’s mainly danced in Cuba and Miami as well. Steps made „on 3” go along with the bass sound. The body movement is very flexible and spontanous. In most figures female walks around her partner. The turns are usually slow, but dynamic. Everything to entertain the salsero with the beauty of his woman.
Rueda de Casino
This is extremely spectacular and much of a fun style of dancing Cuban salsa. Performed in a circle, while one of the dancers is giving names of the figures danced by everybody. Rueda can be danced by atleast 2 pairs, but it’s more entertaining in big circles.
New York Style
This style of salsa was brought to the capital of the world by Puerto Ricans. Islanders added to the famous mambo, loved by New Yorkers, new instrumentalization and extra percussion so they - that dance mambo "on the two" - could feel comfortable dancing to the rhythm and beat of the song, because the original arrangement is not one they easily recognize. This is called "finishing," to enter the local market.
The New York Style is very dynamic and fast. It’s very easy to notice that pairs spin around many times while also does many figures based on crossbody lead and shine steps (male and female solo fugures). It looks very energetic, vivid and furious.
The most popular representant of this style is Eddie Torres.
Los Angeles Style
This style developed thanks to famous Vasquez brothers. Performed „on 1” and characterized by many specific acrobatic elements. We can find in here many figures and steps showing the growth of the female such like butterfly. It’s also based on crossbody lead and the linear steps thats why it’s very common to call those both North American styles: Crossbody Style.
Puerto Rican Style
Among many Puerto Rican manners of dancing the most popular across European continent is the one popularized by Felipe Polanco, who lives in Paris nowdays. The steps are made to the clave rhythm. And both salseros are making many shine steps in front of each other.
As you can see, this Cuban dance has evolved towards another new and equally flavorful sounds. And it’s quick growth here in Europe it’s a proof that the total full bloom of SALSA is still yet to come.
„Viva la variedad, Viva la Salsa!!!”
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