Salsa John Paulson

Latin American Music for Symphonic Band
Number of Players:Standard
Copyright:2014
Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe 1
Oboe 2
Bassoon 1/2
E-flat Clarinet (opt.)
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Trumpet 1
Trumpet 2
F Horn 1/2
Trombone 1/2
Bass Trombone
Baritone
(TC Baritone)
Tuba

Xylophone
Marimba
Percussion 1 (Congas)
Percussion 2 (Timbales)
Percussion 3/4 (Claves/Maracas)
Percussion 5/6 (Cowbell, Guiro)
The Spanish word salsa means sauce and implies the spicy nature of Latin American food. Salsa music was first brought to the United States in the 1950's by immigrant musicians from Puerto Rico and Cuba. In New York it quickly became associated with Latin American dance music including Cuban son montuno, guaracha, chachachá, mambo and bolero.

This salsa takes advantage of traditional salsa rhythms performed on conga drum, timbales, claves, maracas, cowbell and guiro. The bass line is also traditional with its emphasis on beat 4 and the upbeat of beat 2. The combination of these rhythms and instruments creates a festive, compelling energy upon which melodies easily flow.