New York Salsa Dance Stories: The New York Salsa Music

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According to Washburne (1995), the contemporary New York salsa music and the clave beats originated in African bell and drum rhythms, journeyed to Cuba via slave ships in the 1700's, became blended in the Caribbean, especially in Puerto Rico, with Spanish music, jazz and island dances, and then traveled to New York to become further evolved as it was played in the New York City, especially NewYorican, urban atmosphere of the 1950's and 1960's and adapted to the local dance styles, especially at clubs such as the Palladium.  In the 1960's & 1970's, the word "salsa" (which  literally means "sauce") was being used by New York's Fania Record Company (associated with the Fania All Stars) as a marketing term to promote the newest version of this music, as was Latin New York Magazine in its articles .  And with Cuba's turn to communism under Fidel Castro, and the severing of diplomatic and trade relations between Cuba and the U.S., the ongoing flow and interaction of Cuban and New York musicians and dancers became increasingly limited.  As a result, Puerto Rico and New York have emerged since the 1960's as the primary sources and representatives of the contemporary salsa music that we dance to nowadays here in New York City.  In spite of the recent fascination about "Cuban music & culture", and the statements by many that New York salsa is Cuban, it should be made clear that we do not dance to "Cuban music" nor do we dance in a Cuban style.  We dance a New York style, and we have been doing so for decades. 

On 2 mambo dancers usually prefer classic salsa music with a strong danceable rhythm.   The word "classic" does not mean "old";  it refers to a certain classic style of salsa music.  The rhythm structure is based on either the 2/3 or 3/2 son clave, and the sound is one very much associated with Puerto Rican or NewYorican bands, such as El Gran Combo & Tito Puente.  This is not to say that bands with other backgrounds or from other locations do not play songs that fit our way of dancing.  Some of our favorite dance songs come from bands whose roots are far from New York, but it is only when those songs have this "classic New York sound & rhythm" that they are compatible with our On 2 dance timing and style.

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