Latin » Cuban Traditions » Mambo

This Afro-Cuban dance genre was quite popular during the 1940s and became part of the big band sound of the 1950s. It was performed by the Cuban conjunto, which included an ensemble of voice, trumpets, and rhythm sections. The rhythm sections would include a bass, conga drum, and timbale or cowbell. Rhythmic content of the mambo varied from instrument to instrument, but each of the eighth notes would receive a beat but not necessarily an accent. Moderate to rapid tempos are indicated by the mambo rhythm, and the music is especially open to brass and or reed riffs played during the dance music.