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Research Library
History, Music and Theory
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Research Library: History, Music and Theory
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Port De Bras
Dance Theory
A movement or series of movements made by passing the arm or arms through various positions. The passage of the arms from one position to another constitutes a "port de bras". Also a term for a group of exercises designed to make the arms move gracefully and harmoniously. . . . more
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NUESTRA COSA/OUR LATIN THING
Culture/History/Music
Nuestra Cosa/Out Latin Thing is a musical documentary revealing the exciting lifestyle of New York Latinos during the decade of the 1970s. It was filmed at a concert of the Fania Allstars at Club Cheetah and throughout New York City.
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RAY BARRETTO
Culture/History/Music
Ray Barretto, "Hard Hands", was a Puerto Rican jazz musician, widely credited as the godfather of Latin jazz. He was also the first Hispanic to record a Latin song which became a "hit" in the American Billboard Charts. While Ray Barretto's congas have graced more recording sessions than virtually any other conguero of his time, he has also progressive Latin jazz bands over the decades. . . . more
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Balance
Dance Theory
Equilibrioception or sense of balance is one of the physiological senses. It helps prevent humans and animals from falling over when walking or standing still. In humans, equilibrioception is mainly sensed by the detection of acceleration, which occurs in the vestibular system. Other senses play roles as well, e.g. the visual system and proprioception. The importance of visual input for balance is illustrated by it being harder to stand on one foot with eyes closed than with eyes open. . . . more
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ARSENIO RODRIGUEZ
Culture/History/Music
Ignacio de Loyola Rodríguez Scull, known as Arsenio Rodríguez (August 30, 1911 - December 30, 1970) was a Cuban musician who developed the son montuno, and other Afro-Cuban rhythms and is often said to be the true creator of the "Mambo." He was a prolific composer and wrote nearly two hundred songs. . . . more
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ABACUA/ABAKUA
History/Culture
Abakua or Abakuá (various spellings are used) is an Afro-Cuban men's initiatory fraternity, or secret society, which originated from fraternal associations in the Cross River region of southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon. The rhythmic dance music of the Abakuá combined with Bantu traditions of the Congo contributed to one of Cuba's musical traditions, the rumba. The Calle family of Efo origin supposedly invented the guaguanco, a type of rumba. . . . more
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ISMAEL RIVERA
Music
Ismael Rivera also known as "El Sonero Mayor" (The Premiere Improviser) (October 5, 1931 -- May 13, 1987), was a renowned composer and singer of salsa music. "Maelo" was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico. It all started on the very same street Rivera was born and raised on: Calle Calma. There he was instilled with the sounds and rhythms of Puerto Rico: the bomba and plena. . . . more
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Paul Taylor
Theory
No one has ever asked me why I make dances. But when flummoxed by the financial difficulties of keeping a dance company afloat, I sometimes ask it of myself. Dance-makers are most often quizzed this way: Which comes first, the dance or the music? This conundrum was answered most tellingly by the celebrated choreographer George Balanchine, who said: "The money." Nobel Prize-winner Orhan Pamuk has often been asked why he writes. The savvy answer in his "My Father's Suitcase" was so meaningful and struck such a chord of recognition in me -- his devotion, his steadfastness, his anger -- that it caused me to ponder my own reasons for doing what I do. . . . more
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Fania Records
Music
In the early 60's young Latin musicians in New York's Barrio brought the music from their homelands into the Great Apple and started period of musical reinvention and free cooperation amongst the melting pot of cultures living in the city. The new sounds coming from Spanish Harlem and the Bronx were sometimes rough and dangerous but always real and immediate, like the New York streets that inspired them. . . . more
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Cuban Rumba
History/Culture
In Cuba, Rumba is a generic term covering a variety of musical rhythms and associated dances. The rumba has its influences in the music brought to Cuba by Spanish colonizers as well as Africans brought to Cuba as slaves. Rumba is more than a music and dance genre; it is the collective expression of the Creole nature of the island itself. Rumba is a secular genre of Congolese African and Spanish flamenco influences, and is one of the primary ancestors of popular music in Cuba. . . . more
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Eddie Palmieri
Music
Born in Spanish Harlem in 1936, Palmieri began piano studies at an early age, as did his celebrated older brother, the late salsa legend and pianist Charlie Palmieri. For Latin New Yorkers of Eddie's generation, music was a vehicle out of the barrio. Possessed by a desire to play the drums, Palmieri joined his uncle's orchestra at age 13, where he played the timbales. Says Palmieri, "By 15, it was good-bye timbales' and back to the piano until this day. I'm a frustrated percussionist, so I take it out on the piano." . . . more
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La Clave
Theory
In many musical discussions, styles of music found in the Americas and the Caribbean are often referred to as African-derived. Salsa is no exception and the following discussion explores what is particularly African about the music: clave, a rhythmic concept found in a variety of Latin-American styles. Similarities in sound and function to African bell patterns provide evidence towards a theory of clave's origins and an evolutionary link between African music and salsa. . . . more
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Styling & Spinning