Salsa, Music And Dance Thats Hot And Spicy,
Just Like Santa Marta, Colombia.

Salsa is definitely Latin American music, sometimes referred to Latin jazz and essentially remains a form of dance music.

The other top styles of music in Colombia are

• Cumbia
• Vallenato
• Reggaeton

Found in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela and United States, more than just music, it's music and dance as it's hard to think of it without thinking of dancing.

History

A bit obscure with various opinions on how this music genre began but generally it seems that it has it's origin in Cuban music and its roots come from the Cuban rhythm called Son. Arriving in the United States from the Cuban exile community in the 60's to meet the demand of dancers. it was a fusion of different rhythms and takes the name of sauce, referring to something spicy, a mix of sounds.

Some purists even dispute the term for this style of music but you have to admit it does sound a little spicy once you hear it.

Today Cali Colombia considers itself the Salsa capitol of the world, with the its world Festival taking place in September annually.

Bands are usually much larger than regular bands and can have over twice the number of a regular band with 10-12 or more band members.

Percussion is the most important instrumentation in this music.

Main Instruments

• claves
• cowbells
• timbales
• congas

Along With

• trumpets
• trombones
• bass guitar.

Other instruments are guitar and the piano. Bands typically consist of up to a dozen people. Two to four players play horns, while there are one or two choral singers and others play the bongo, conga, bass guitar, piano and timbale, maracas, claves. Horns are trumpets and at least one saxophone or trombone.

Clubs in Santa Marta

In these places you can request your favorite music.

• Barrio Samario
• El Garaje (The Garage) Cl 8 2-127 Taganga where international visitors will meet from Wednesday to Saturday to share the music they like, as well as salsa.
• La Escollera Cl 5 4-107 Sector El Laguito, El Rodadero
• Licores y Picadas Bar Bony Avenue of the Liberator 30-41 L- 2 Conj.R Villa Dany
• Jarana Cl 30 80-66 Carret Troncal, Santa Marta
• Disco Bar Restaurant Valsao Cr 1 10A-12 Port Authority
• Plaza de Madrid Galery-Disco Bar Restaurant Cl 17 3-70
• Champagne Vallenato Club Cl 9 3-31 El Rodadero
• Deja-Vu Cr2 7-58 El Rodadero, Santa Marta
• Praga Bar Cafe 19th street 2A-55 Santa Marta
• Lautrec Cr2 16-08 Santa Marta
• Bananas Night Club 2nd avenue 19-47 Santa Marta
• La Puerta 17th street between avenues 2 y 3 Historical Center
• Crabs Calle 18 between avenues 3 y 4 Historical Center
• Distrito Calle 19 between avenues 3 y 4 next to The Park of the Couples (parque de los novios)
• Comodoro Park of the Couples (parque de los novios)
• Geckos Club 11th avenue No. 22 - 36 Santa Marta
• Restaurante Y Estadero El Puente De La Salsa Manz 96 Casa 20 El Pando

Joe Arroyo
One of the top 3 performers of Caribbean music in the world. He began his career as a singer when he was very young at the age of 8 years old. Born in Cartagena, Colombia. he belonged to the band Los Caporales of Magdalena where he began his Caribbean music career.

Guayacan
Recognized worldwide for the songs that speak of the common people and people of the street. The band has won many awards, recognized worldwide as one of the best salsa bands, merging classical and new rhythms and sounds.

Grupo Niche
Romantic salsa, classical, and vigorous rhythms of cumbia, distinctive niche Caribbean rhythm that have been so famous winning multiple awards. Great recognition worldwide that make this group a legend in the musical history of Colombia.

Return From Salsa to Adventure Travel

Return to Santa Marta Travel Guide