Week 3: The Palladium: (Mid Century) Birth of Mambo
During the 1950s mambo became very popular in New York. This music came from Cuba and Africa and contains the elements found in other styles of salsa. I found it important that Cuban slaves were allowed to keep their drums (compared to US slaves who were not). This allowed them to play their music and dance and continue their African traditions. They took this wild and intense music and added news and current events which allowed for a type of community sense not really found anywhere else. When this music and dance was brought to the US it brought in crowds from every nationality and culture. However, due to the extreme discrimination that existed at the time, most people knew only the Hollywood version of mambo and never learned the true face of the music. Those that did participate were able to dance like there was no tomorrow. The music just makes you want to move.