Latin American Music

There are many different styles of Latin American music that originated from all areas of the continent, as well as from different walks of life. They have spread through out the continent and to other areas of the world as well.

Borelo

Borelo has roots in Cuba, spreading to the Caribbean and Mexico.

Los Hermanos Martinez Gil, Silencio

Juan Gabrial, Hasta Que Te Conoci

Danzon

Danzon has roots in Cuba, but was introduced to Cuba by Haitian refugees

Danzon

Mambo

Mambo also originated in Cuba

Perez Prado, Original Que Rico El Mambo

Tito Puente with David Letterman on NBC 2/26/96

performing Mambo Diablo

Salsa

Salsa originated in Cuba, but has become a genre of music that stretches across the continent, with the city of Cali claiming to be the "capital of salsa". Also Columbia has many big band salsa ensembles.

Oscar D'Leon, Ave Maria Lola

Joe Arroyo, Pal Bailador

Grupo Niche, Buenaventura y Caney

Samba

Samba originated in Brazil

Brazilian Samba

Cumbia

Although Cumbia has an origin in Panama, Columbia has adopted it as it's own unofficial national music.

La Sonora Dinamita, La Pollera Colora

Merengue

Merengue originated in the Dominican Republic.

Johnny Ventura, Yo Soy el Mernegue

Wilfrido Vargas, Merengue Bachata

La Makina, Me Rompio el Corazon

Vellenato

Vellenato originated on the Caribbean coast of Columbia, specifically in Valledupar.

Jorge Onate and Colacho Mendoza, Rosa Angelina

Los Diabilitos, Los Caminos de la Vida

Tango

Tango originated in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Carlos Gardel, Adios Muchachos

Astor Piazzolla, Adios Nonino (BBC live 1989)

Map of where the different Latin American music styles originated from.
**I accidentally marked Brazil down as Belize**