From the less inhibited nightclubs and dance halls the Mambo underwent subtle changes. It was first known as triple Mambo, and then peculiar scraping and shuffling sounds during the tripling produced the imitative sound of Cha, Cha, Cha. This then became a dance in itself. Mambo or triple Mambo, or Cha Cha, as it is now called, is but an advanced state in interpretive social dancing born of the fusion or progressive American and Latin music.
- The authentic, traditional dances that fall lately into the domain of the folkloric dances, many of which vary from region to region, and generally involve a rhythmic character as opposed to a set of choreographic distinctions.
- The standardized expression of popular Latin dances embraced by cultures other than Hispanic, such as: Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Bolero, Mambo, and Paso Dole. These dances are danced both on a social and competitive level.
The fusion of Swing and Cuban music produced this fascinating rhythm and in turn created a new sensational dance. The Mambo could not have been conceived earlier since up until that time Cuba and American Jazz still were not wedded. The Victor records of Anselmo Sacaras entitled Mambo in 1944 were probably the beginning and since then other Latin American band leaders such as Tito Rodriquez, Pupi Campo, Tito Puente, Perez Pardo, Machito, and Xavier Cugat have achieved styling of their own and furthered the Mambo craze. The Mambo was originally played as any Rumba with a riff ending. It may be described as a riff or a Rumba with emphasis on the fourth beat in 4/4 time. Originally played with some musicians in 2/4 time with a break or emphasis on 2 and 4. Native Cubans or dancers without any training would break on any beat. Find out more about all the dances we teach!
The Rumba was originally a marriage dance. Many of its movements and actions, which seem to have an erotic meaning, are merely depiction of simple farm tasks. The showing of the mare, the climbing of a rope, the courtship of the rooster and the hen, etc. It was done for amusement on the farms of Cuba. However, it became a popular ballroom dance and was introduced in the United States about 1933. It was the Americanized version of the Cuban Son and Danzon. It is in 4/4 time. The characteristic feature is to take each step without initially placing the weight on that step. Steps are made with a slightly bent knee, which, when straightened, causes the hips to sway from side to side in what has come to be known as Cuban Motion.
This is a favored name for a type of Latin music, which for the most part, has its roots in Cuban culture and is enhanced by jazz textures. The word, Salsa, means sauce denoting a hot flavor and is best distinguished from other Latin music styles by defining it as the New York sound developed by Puerto Rican musicians in New York. The dance structure is largely associated with mambo type patterns and has a particular feeling that is associated mainly with the Clave and the Montuno.
An ever popular blend of several African American dances, which include Lindy and Ragtime Jazz and Blues, was well as all the other dance music to accompanying dances of the past ninety years. Today it generally refers to the ballroom and nightclub version, which is based on two slow and two quick counts or the slow and two quick counts of rhythm dances.
(Continental/English see Tango: International) There are essentially three types of Tango: Argentine, American and International Style. Argentine Tango (Arrabalero): A dance created by the Gauchos in Buenos Aires. It was actually an attempt on their part to imitate the Spanish dance expect that they danced it in a closed ballroom position. The Tango caused a sensation and was soon to be seen the world over in a more subdued version. American Tango: Unlike the Argentine Tango, in which the dancer interprets the music spontaneously without any predetermined, slows or quicks, the American Tango features a structure which is correlated to the musical phrasing. The dance is executed both in closed position and in various types of extravagant dance relationships, which incorporate a particular freedom of expression that is not present in the International Style. International Tango: This is a highly disciplined and distinctively structured form of the Tango which is accepted worldwide as the format for dancesport events. The dancers remain in traditional closed position throughout and express both legato and staccato aspects of the type of music appropriate to this style.