Latin American Music

Music Map

Samba

Brazilian dance and music genre originating in Bahia and with its roots in Brazil (Rio De Janeiro) and Africa by the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. The Brazilian musical style and dance emerged around the 1920s. Samba was most popular with the While Middle Class in the 30s. Samba descended from the "Batuque" a percussive accompaniment to the circle dance performed by African Slaves on Brazil's Colonal Plantations. Samba is mostly played and danced in Rio de Janeiro. The samba is played by strings (various types of guitars) and various percussion instruments such as tamborim. Influenced by American orchestras in vogue since the World War II and the cultural impact of US music post-war, samba began to use trombones, trumpets, chorus, flutes and clarinets.

Bolero

A slow- tempo Latin Music and its associated dance and song.There are Spanish and Cuban forms which are both significant and which have separate origins. The bolero is a 3/4 dance that originated in Spain in the late 18th century, a combination of the contradanza and the sevillana. Dancer Sebastino Carezo is credited with inventing the dance in 1780. It is danced by either a soloist or a couple. The Cuban bolero tradition originated in Santiago de Cuba in the last quarter of the 19th century. The Cuban bolero has traveled to Mexico and the rest of Latin America after its conception.

Salsa 

Salsa Music is a general term referring to what is essentially Cuban popular dance music which was internationalized outside Cuba. The term "Salsa" was initially recorded, promoted and marketed in New York City during the 1970s. Salsa means 'Sauce' in the Spanish Language, and carries connotations of the spiciness common in Latin and Caribbean cuisine. In the 20th century, salsa acquired a musical meaning in both English and Spanish.

Danzon

Genre and dance of Cuba. It is also an active musical form in Mexico and is still beloved in Puerto Rico. The danzón evolved from the Cuban Habanera. Originally, the contradanza was of English origin and was most likely introduced by three different ways to Cuba in 1762 with the invasion of the British to Havana, Spanish colonists, and French colonists (who were fleeing the Haitian Revolution of 1791 to 1804). In Cuba, these dances were influenced by African rhythmic and dance styles and so became a genuine fusion of European and African influences.

Cumbia

Colombian and Panamanian music genre popular throughout Latin America. The Cumbia originated in Colombia's Caribbean coastal region, from the musical and cultural fusion of Native Colombians, slaves brought it from Africa, and the Spanish during colonial times. Cumbia began as a coutship dance practiced among the African slave population, which was later mixed with European instruments and musical characteristics. 

Mariachi

This genre originated from Mexico. The mariachi ensemble generally consists of violins, trumpets, a classical guitar, a vihuela, a guitarron and a harp (sometimes). Mariachis play at events such as weddings and formal occasions such as quinceaneras (a girl's fifteenth birthday celebration), they are often used to serenade women because many of the songs have romantic lyrics.

Mambo

musical form and dance style that developed originally in Cuba and then later in Mexico. The word "mambo" means "conversation with the gods" in Kikongo, the language spoken by Central American slaves taken to Cuba. Back in the 1930s, Cuban music was heavily influenced by Danzon. THis music style, which appeared in the late 19th century, bore lots of similarities to the original and melodic Cuban Danza. The 1950s and the 60s saw the golden years of Mambo. Nevertheless, those golden years were rapidly overcome by the development of Salsa, a new crossover experiment that borrowed elements form different Afro-latin rhythms like 'Son', Charanga, and of course Mambo. 

Merengue

Type of music and dance from the Dominican Republic. It is popular in the Dominican Republic and all over Latin America. Its name is Spanish, taken from the name of the meringue, a dessert made from whipped egg whites and sugar. Merengue was created by Ñico Lora, a Dominican of Spanish descent, in the 1920s. In the Dominican Republic it was promoted by Rafael Trujillo, the dictator from the 1930 to 1961, and became the country's national music and dance style. 

Norteño

The norteño genre is popular in both Mexico and the United States, especially among the Mexican community. Though originating from rural areas, norteño is popular in urban as well as rural areas. Many norteño artists have become widely popular among the Mexican-American community. Local radio stations have continued to be a major influence in popularizing Norteño.

Vallenato

Vallenato along with cumbia, is currently a popular folk music of Colombia. It primarily comes from the Colombia's Caribbean region. Vallenato literally means "born in the valley". This form of music originated from farmers who, keeping a tradition of Spanish, mixed also with the West African-inherited tradition. Vallenato became popular in the Early 1900s in Colombia's Caribbean region. 

Tango

Tango is a style of ballroom dance music in 2/4 or 4/4 time that originated among European immigrant populations of Argentina and Uruguay. Early tango was played by immigrants in Buenos Aires, where many argue the tango was born. By the end of the 19th century, this blend of salon, European and African Music was heard throughout metropolitan Buenos Aires. 

Ranchera

Genre of the traditional music of Mexico originally sung by only one performer with a guitar. It dates to the years of the Mexican Revolution in the early 20th century. It later became closely associated with the mariachi groups. Rural traditional folk music, ranchera developed as a symbol of a new national consciousness in reaction to the aristocratic tastes of the period. Ranchera music has been around since the 1930s till present day, & with a very popular all around Latin America.