Cuban dancestyles

Its impossible to explain all Cuban dance styles because of its great diversity. Therefor we'll give you the headlines starting at the beginning of the 20th century.
Starting with the Danzon that is the convergence point of the older Cuban dance styles. Its an elegant couple dance and the first that deserves the etiket of being a 100% Cuban. Originally it was only instrumental, without singing. The first translator was Miquel Falde

At the same time the Trova, the troubadour songs and the traditional Son originated. There was a large repertoire build in a style that you could call the grandmother of modern Salsa. You can dance to it or listen to it, because it has a strong poetic strength. This tradition is still alive and has gotten a lot of international attention in recent years. Buena Vista Social Club, Compay Segundo, Viejo Trova, Santiquera.

In the 1920's the Rumba developed itself in the slums of cities like Havana and Matanzas. This dance and its music style was born at the parties that slaves had in their barracks. Its a erotic dance that is being danced by couples, with a lot of room for improvisation. The music consists mainly of percussion and is a playful liaison between dancers and musicians. There are 3 styles; The Yambo, The Guaquanco and the Colombia.

In the 50's, a for that time very modern style of dancing appears; The Mambo. The musical father is Orestes Lopez. The dance becomes especially popular in Mexico, with Perez Prado, at the same time The Cha Cha Cha appears, who made the typical Cuban movements world famous.

The Bolero is you could say the Latin - American slow dance.
A quiet dance with romantic theme's, at a pass that is especially developed for the more refined couple dancers. The Guaracha is a modern version of the Son, but with a faster rithme. Of these dancers a great deal of skill is expected.

At the end of the 50's a very young and urban dance style developed in the area of Deportivo, in Havana. This dance is being characterized by dancing creative shapes with one's partner. De Casino is treasured by several generations and still being danced a lot. It is the base dance for the Rueda de Casino, a very popular dance at the moment among young people. Its a group dance, in which the couples dance a circle and change partner at the commando of one of the men. All the commando's, like Hermana or Familia, are actual dance figures and are known to everyone.

The name Salsa means literally sauce or ratatouille. Created by Cuban musicians who immigrated to the United States, for commercial purposes. Besides the Son and the Casino, you can also find styles and rhythm's of Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Dominican Republic and of the Latin Jazz of the US. Musicians like Benny More, Celia Cruz and Celina Gonzales were long before Salsa got fashionable worldwide, known exponents of Cuban dance music.

Finally, we should in the broad range of Cuban music, not forget the movement of Nueva Trova. People like Silvio Rodriquez en Panlo Milanes bring poetic lyrics at the tune of beautiful melodies, accompanied only by guitar. They bring the worth of the Cuban revolution out to the world.

In the western world Cuban music is sometimes being portrait as being old fashioned. Bands like Los Van Van, La Charanga, Orquesta Reve and NG La Banda really prove the opposite.These artists link their musical roots with their academic education. They created a style, characterized by their own orchestration and rhythm, but still 100% Cuban.They made sure Cuban music is always at the top.