Mambo
The Contradanza
of
Orestes Lopez composed
the first title song called "Mambo" in 1938. >Prado
is said to have copied him. Some say that Francisco
"Machito " Grillo and "Perez Prado" created the Mambo and introduced it at the
Mambo really flourished
in the 1950's as the Rumba was exhausting its enthusiasm. In a few of the old
Cuban dance magazines of the 1950s I have acquired, basically blast the
American version of the Mambo dance as a "novelty dance" with no real
connection to authentic Mambo, calling it closer to the American Jitterbug than
the real authentic Mambo (sheesh!). According to the 12/1953 issue of the Dance magazine which states:
"What's in a name, is the smooth sophisticated Cuban style Rumba finding
popular acceptance under the name Mambo. The term Mambo is today (1953) used to
designate two forms of Rumba which are quite
dissimilar in appearance. As a foundation for either the smooth or the hectic
style, however, the same or similar basic rhythm and step variations are taught. The outward differences come later, depending on
the skill attained, the predominance of smooth or jazzed up band music,
conservative or Jitterbug temperaments and a predilection for closed dancing or
for opened up fancy steps.
The basic Mambo step is derived from the "Cuban style Rumba". The basic
Cuban style Rumba uses a "Diamond Pattern" instead of the
"American Square or Box" pattern, basically meaning forward and back
and side to side (See Diagram #2). And that the steps are 2,3,4
instead of the 1,2,3 as in the Rumba. Because of the Claves (Musical
Instruments) in use by the bands, a four count seems incomplete, so a
two-measure phrase (eight counts) is used.
They go on to say the
"Mambo has been unsuccessfully tried for years to come into the dance
world, but it took a Jazzed up "Son" (rumba) by the new name of Mambo
to make it happen. It goes on to say this new rhythm has been reported as being
hard to teach (2,3,4) so many studios are opting for the 1,2,3 hold 4 (QQS) as
Americans are used to stepping and counting the "One" first, although
the rhythm of the Mambo is in the hips, not the feet". (end)
The Mambo's popularity
was helped along by the mass amount of music created for it in a short period of time. The song titled "Mambo Italiano" was originally banned from the radio for it's offensive words, but was later released. Many songs were written or rewritten for the Mambo from W.C. Handy's "
The mambo replaced the
Rumba in popularity and gave birth to the Cha-Cha. Desi
Arnaz is credited with
nationalizing Latin American music with American audiences through his
television show "I Love Lucy." It continued its popularity into the
1960's right along side the Twist and Mashed potato.
The word
"#FF6666">Salsa today is used to describe the music and the dance,
a modern term for Latin if you will. However the dance
known as Salsa is really just a slowed down MUTATED Mambo. As Tito Puente has
said, "Salsa is what you eat". Mambo is again gaining much popularity
today (2002) with a little more pop or disco beat, not to mention the likes of
Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Lou Bega, etc. helping
it along.
The Clave: Is a
five-note, bi-measure pattern which serves as the
foundation for all of the rhythmic styles in salsa music. The clave consists of
a "strong" measure containing three notes (the tresillo),
and a "weak" measure containing two notes, resulting in patterns
beginning with either measure, referrred to as
"three-two" or two-three." There are two types
of clave patterns associated with popular (secular) music: the son clave and
the rumba clave. Another type of clave is the 6/8 clave originated in
several styles of West African sacred music.> (from: Salsa Guidebook for
Piano and Ensemble, Mauleon, R. - 1993)
Birth Place
Creation Date 1938
Creator NONE
Dance Type Folk / Latin
Phone: 214-893-4254
Email: qes3000@yahoo.com
Web: http://MyDance.biz