Salsa music is a popular dance music genre that initially arose in New York

City during the 1960s. Salsa is the product of various Cuban musical genres
including the Afro-Cuban son montuno, guaracha, cha cha chá, mambo, and
Puerto Rican Plena and Bomba. Latin jazz (which was also developed in New York
City) has had a significant influence on salsa arrangers, piano guajeos, and
instrumental soloists.

Salsa is primarily Cuban son, itself a fusion of Spanish canción and guitar

and Afro-Cuban percussion, Salsa also occasionally incorporates elements of Latin
Jazz , Bomba and Plena. All of these non-Cuban elements are grafted onto the
basic Cuban son montuno template when performed within the context of salsa.

The first salsa bands were predominantly Cubans and Puerto Ricans. The music

eventually spread throughout Colombia and the rest of the Americas. Ultimately, it
became a global phenomenon. Some of the founding salsa artists were Johnny
Pacheco (the creator of the Fania All-Stars), Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, Richie
Ray, Bobby Cruz, Ray Barretto, Willie Colón, Larry Harlow, Roberto Roena, Bobby
Valentín, Eddie Palmieri, and Héctor Lavoe.