American Roots: Salsa Music

 Origins and History

Salsa is a genre rooted from multiple latin genres from countries such as Cuba and Puerto Rico. The musical styles of origin range from the Cuban son to the mambo, to the bomba and plena from Puerto Rico. These musical genres were syncretic themselves, with influences from Latin America, Spain and Africa. 

African slaves that were brought into the Caribbean outnumbered their white counterparts significantly more than they did in the United States, making their culture have a bigger influence on the countries they resided in. In a similar way to how the Blues were created, it took a mixture of oppressed cultures and identities to create a new style of music in the Caribbean. Thus, the Afro-Cuban styles of son, mambo, plena, etc. were born and alive in Cuba and Puerto Rico. 

Here is an example of a Cuban son. The video itself focuses more on the dance than the music, but listening to it you can easily pick out instruments such as the guitar and African percussion similar to barrel drums and shakers. The dance is very energetic but also smooth, incorporating melodies from Spain and syncopated rhythms. 

Around the 1940s and 50s, immigrants from Puerto Rico and Cuba started establishing a new genre in New York which eventually became what is now known today as salsa music. This new genre combined the already syncretic Afro-Cuban music with American music such as jazz and in later years R&B. The official name salsa was given to the music genre in the 60s as a way to unify the mixture of Latin cultures as one. 

Salsa music became popular in the Unites States thanks to Fania Records created by Johnny Pacheco. The record company introduced many salsa musicians in albums that brought more attention to Latin culture as the genre gained more popularity. As salsa became more mainstream in the 70s, it began to adapt to what was more popular such as disco and techno music. During this time, salsa also began spreading through the United States and into Latin America. Throughout the 80s and 90s, salsa continued adapting and changing, eventually creating sub genres such as salsa erótica and timba. 

Here is a song by Johnny Pacheco himself called Mambo Inn. It features many elements of Afro-Cuban music such as its syncopated rhythms, drums, and dance-like liveliness. However, this song also features many elements of American jazz such as the usage of horns and improvisation. This blend of styles is that started a musical revolution for Latin Americans. 

As salsa continues to adapt to popular music, it proves that syncretic music can be eternal as long as it is willing to change and develop continuously. Its history is fascinating when taking into consideration the combination of cultures that created one specific genre of music. 

Elements and Style

Salsa is considered to be a dance music genre with syncopated rhythms and lively instrumentation. Its Afro-Cuban predecessors combined Spanish instruments such as the guitar with African rhythms and percussion and call-and-response styles. The bass line plays these syncopated rhythms on the off-beat of the song, which allows it to be more dance-like. However complicated the rhythms are though, the melody remains relatively simple. Salsa music contains of a relatively easy structure. There are two main sections: A simple melody section followed by a montuno, which may feature call-and-response, instrumental solos, refrains, and improv. Because of this structure, it is not uncommon for salsa to be called Latin-jazz. 

Instruments and Lyrics

Stemming from African and Latin genres, it is no wonder that salsa features the Spanish guitar and Afro-Cuban percussion such as the bongos, congas, cowbells, claves and maracas. However, there was also a lot of American influence on the instrumentation of salsa music. Carrying elements of jazz, salsa grew away from the Cuban son by adding more horns such as trombone, trumpet, and saxophone as well as piano and timbales. This created a way bigger sound more fitting for the music of New York, which preferred bigger ensemble playing. Salsa of course also featured a vocalist as well, who could usually be described as singing passionately and ferociously. The vocalist may sometimes also play a percussive instrument such as the maracas or the claves. Combining instrumentation from a variety of cultures makes salsa one of the most diverse genres out there.

Claves are a percussive instrument 

that consists of two wooden sticks. They

are often struck together by a percussion member

or the vocalist during a salsa piece. 

Timbales are another percussion instrument 

developed from Latin America that consist of

two drums  and a cowbell. The drums are either 

snares or can also resemble African drums, and 

are featured more in salsa music than in traditional

Caribbean music.

When talking about earlier salsa from the 50s and 60s, there wasn't much attention paid towards the lyrics of the song. The melodies and lyrics were simple and not attention-grabbing, since the music was meant more for dancing to than listening to. However, in adaption to later styles of music in the Unites States, lyrics began to be more important and popular. Salsa erótica took features from popular 80s styles, including lyrics about passionate love and loss. Timba was established in the 90s and took elements from hiphop such as rapping and free-styling. Of course, lyrics in salsa are always in Spanish, but their American influence still stands. 

Here is a song by Jerry Rivera titled Que Hay De Malo, which is a perfect example of salsa erótica. The lyrics may be in Spanish, but the style and atmosphere of the video makes it clear that this song has American 70s influence. Of course there are many aspects that come from salsa such as the jazzy horns, call-and-response, and African percussion. However, there are now some added elements such as a theme about romance and deep emotion and styles that reflect off of popular sensual music from the 70s. 

This song is Sin Susto by Papucho & Mañana Club Ft El Yera. This song is a clear example of a timba, which is salsa influenced by hiphop. As you can hear, there are lots of elements of salsa still there such as its syncopated rhythms, active percussion, and Afro-Cuban instrumentation. What makes this different than other styles of salsa however is that out features a lot of rapping and spoken verses, as well as chanting and fast vocals which are all very common in hiphop music. 

It is very interesting to take a look into salsa music from different time periods because they are very reminiscent of the music that surrounded them at the time they were made. 

Today's salsa music may include lyrics inspired by politics or cultural identity. It is not rare for latin artists to make statements about past or current oppression towards their cultures in the United States and other countries. Salsa was an art from created to unite a group of marginalized people, so it is not surprising that today it is used to further spread messages from that community. 

An example that I decided to use for modern salsa music is Havana by Camila Cabello. Although the verses of this song are more focused on troubled romance, the chorus has a focus on Cabello's culture and origin, hence the lyrics, "Havana ooh-nah-nah, half of my heart is in Havana...."This song is also a great example of modern salsa music combined with the styles of popular music. The song features lots of brass and a very traditional salsa bass line in the piano, but also incorporates R&B style beats and rapping. 

Celia Cruz

Celia Cruz, A.K.A the queen of salsa, was born in Santo Suárez, Cuba. Ever since she was little Cruz continuously partook in a multitude of musical activities, such as cabarets and radio contests. At only 25 years old, Cuban's most well-known orchestra La Sonora Mantancera took notice of her talent and made her their first ever black front woman in which she would participate in for ten years. 

Eventually, Cruz landed popularity in the United States as her first solo release Son Con Guaguancó  hit the shelves. This album had the traditional elements of salsa, with an emphasis on the mixing of different cultures around the world. The guaguancó genre that she used in this album became her signature style, combing elements from rumba, mambo, cha-cha, Guaracha, and bolero. 

After becoming famous in other countries, Celia Cruz began to become more distant from her home country. She actively and publicly disagreed with the Cuban Revolution at the time of its happening, which in turn lead her to be exiled from the country. Disappointed by Cuba's refusal to allow her to attend the burial of her own mother, Cruz decided that she would never return to Cuba and instead ended up distancing herself from her family and origin. After her death, she was buried in New York with Cuban soil mixed into her burial site. 

Cruz's Musical Influence

Celia Cruz's music usually reflects her identity and life. Many of her songs can be taken into context based on her historical timeline and background. With songs about the cultures she grew up with, being forced to leave her home, and experiencing racism as an American immigrant, Cruz made a life out of sharing her personal views and feelings. However, Cruz also caters to urban life that can be applied to both Cuban and American living. The common ideas of urban labor and lack of many were popular amongst American music in the 60s. This balance of cultures is what made Celia Cruz such a big influence on both Latin America and the United States. 

I thought this song was a perfect representation of Celia Cruz's music and message. This particular video is awesome because it includes lyrics in both Spanish and English. When reading the translation of her song La Negra Tiene Tumbao, it directly means, "The black woman has rhythm." Considering that Celia Cruz was such an activist for black woman, this song's meaning comes to nobody's surprise. The song and music video is clearly meant to empower black woman, and I personally love it! Meanings aside however, this song features typical salsa elements. All of the Afro-Cuban percussion can be heard and the song includes many instrumental breaks with brass and syncopated rhythms. 

An icon for Cuban culture, black Latin Americans, and Latin American woman, Celia Cruz is probably one of the most influential salsa artists of all time. She has such a rich history and backstory that has clearly lead to her musical success, and I would consider her an amazing inspiration not only of the past, but also of today. 

Bibliography

Fernandez, Stefanie. "Celia Cruz's 'Son Con Guaguancó' And The Bridge To Fame In Exile". Npr.Org. Last modified 2018. Accessed January 27, 2021. https://www.npr.org/2018/02/13/584004511/celia-cruzs-son-con-guaguanc-and-the-bridge-to-fame-in-exile.

"Salsa". New World Encyclopedia. Accessed January 27, 2021. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Salsa.

"Salsa Explore The Music Latin Music USA". pbs.org. Accessed January 27, 2021. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/latinmusicusa/music/salsa/.

"Salsa Music". Encyclopedia Britannica. Accessed January 27, 2021. https://www.britannica.com/art/salsa-music.

"What Is Salsa And Where Did It Originate? The Music Origins Project". The Music Origins Project. Accessed January 27, 2021. https://www.musicorigins.org/item/puerto-rican-salsa-music/.