Mambo (Cuba)

Description

Mambo is a lively and rhythmic dance music genre characterized by its syncopated rhythms, brass sections, and energetic melodies. It often features a strong, driving beat that encourages dancing, with influences from both Afro-Cuban and jazz music.

History

Mambo originated in Cuba in the late 1930s and gained popularity in the 1940s and 1950s. It evolved from the danzón and was heavily influenced by the Afro-Cuban rhythms of son and rumba. The genre was popularized by musicians such as Pérez Prado, who is often credited with bringing mambo to international audiences, especially in the United States. Mambo became a dance craze in the 1950s, particularly in New York City, where it was embraced by both Latino and non-Latino communities.