History and Main Styles of New York Salsa

Salsa arrived in America from Cuba and blossomed in clubs and discos, thanks to the dedication of dance lovers. Without formal schools, the styles evolved organically over time.

Cuban salsa was circular – couples moved around in a circle. Salsa in Los Angeles remained that way, but in New York, where dance floors were often rectangular and clubs were frequently in basements, New York salsa became linear.

The development of salsa in America and even Russia is owed to two men: Eddie Torres and Albert Torres. Notably, they were not related. Each started their career in New York, with Eddie much earlier than Albert.

Eddie, who first encountered salsa as a child in a club, became passionate, studied the dance, and by his twenties was a professional dancer and teacher. His ingenuity turned the dance into a linear style, replacing the more playful Cuban style with a more delicate one.

Albert Torres was born later and witnessed the success of his namesake as a child. Though born in New York, his family soon moved to Los Angeles, where salsa was still relatively unknown. Albert's personality didn't allow for imitation; he restored the dance's original exuberance, festivity, and theatricality. Thus, two distinct salsa styles emerged in America, evolving almost independently, each with its own music, attire, and audience.

Besides Eddie Torres, the development of salsa in New York was greatly aided by new groups passionate about Cuban music. Special credit goes to the record label 'Fania Records,' whose founder coined the name 'salsa,' meaning 'sauce' in Spanish – a blend of musical styles: traditional Cuban melodies and modern club music.

Every salsa style has its own uniqueness. In New York style, besides linear movement, it's the change of position or complex figure on the second beat of the music. This was designed to showcase the woman's elegance. On the first beat, she would step out from behind her partner, and on the second beat, they would either switch sides or he would close in with a counter-movement. Therefore, New York salsa is more precise and complex in character.

Despite the overall change in movement, New York salsa did not lose its Cuban character. It retains complex footwork, male leading and female following, and the social nature of the dance has been preserved and even enhanced.

Although you'll see fewer people dancing salsa on the streets of New York than in Los Angeles, that doesn't mean the dance is rigid. Salsa is still danced by everyone. Couples of all ages and body types learn the art of mutual understanding, leading, and feeling the rhythm of the music.

Of course, New York fully preserved the costumes of Cuban salsa. Women wear bright or dark open dresses with wide sleeves, back cutouts, and long slit skirts. Men wear black or white suits. This attention to detail remains to this day. If you prefer a more relaxed style, Los Angeles salsa might suit you better.

Salsa was an obscure dance for a long time, but after its development in the 1980s, it became world-famous and the most popular dance in America. Its popularity in Russia is owed to Eddie Torres and Albert Torres, both of whom visited Saint Petersburg with their groups, sparking interest across the city and eventually the whole country. Interestingly, New York salsa gained more traction in Russia than Los Angeles salsa.

In America, New York salsa spread widely thanks to films like 'El Cantante' (2006), which vividly portrays the era of salsa's development and wild popularity in the US, and 'The Mambo Kings' (1992), which showcases the dance boom of the Palladium era. And of course, the Palladium club itself, where Eddie Torres began his career.