Mambo Dance Lessons

Mambo is one of the Latin ballroom dances, which originated in Cuba. It is characterized by the exciting energy and enticing rhythms, which draws eyes and allows for a lot of fun for the dancers. Additionally, the Mambo is flirty and sensual.

It originated in the areas of Haitian settlements in Cuba. Many sources claim that the dance was named after Haitian voodoo priests (called “Mambo”) who served the villagers as healers and spiritual advisors. Mambo was also a word used for their drums that were used in rituals. Other sources say that the word was used to mean “shake it” or “a conversation with the Gods.”

The beginning of the Mambo occurred from music that was not even really intended for dancing. The music had roots in English and French music. It was music for music’s sake and was not for the purposes of dancing. While this type of music did have the possibility of being danced to, no dance had been created at the time that would match the beats. While originating in Cuba, the conductor of an orchestra would shout “give it mambo,” to signify the beginning of the orchestra to improvise their music.

Perez Prado came up with the dance steps for the Mambo in 1940. Perez introduced the dance at the La Tropicana nightclub in Havana in 1943. He then became the first person to sell his music with the label of “Mambo.” Following Cuba, Prado brought his talents to Mexico where the dance and music was adopted, but was later banned by the Mexican government for promoting a non-traditional dancing style. It was during the introduction of the Mambo to Mexico that Perez Prado was deemed the King of Mambo. The first version of the Mambo was known for the freedom of movement and the complex footwork. In fact, some of the first versions of the Mambo are said to have so many wild acrobatic movements that they were unable to be performed by dancers who were not professional.

After the introduction of Swing influences into Prado’s music, the Mambo inevitably reached the United States in New York’s Plaza Ballroom. A blend of American Jazz (Swing music) and Cuban music produced the energetic rhythms of this musical style. This was the location and favorite hangout of dancers from Harlem. In 1947, the Mambo was really getting people excited in many renowned venues. Versions of the dance were penetrating dance studios, resort hotels, and at nightclubs in both New York and Miami. The following was so incredible that those who were big fans of the Mambo adopted their label as, “Mambonicks.” It gained wide spread popularity in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s.

At the age of 15, Fox was pushed to support himself and joined a circus for a short tour. For a brief time he also played professional baseball. Fox’s career developed further in San Francisco when a music publisher hired Fox to sing songs from the boxes of vaudeville theaters. In 1904, he appeared in a comedy titled “Mr. Frisky of Frisco” at the Belvedere Theatre. After San Francisco’s 1906 earthquake, Fox moved Eastward and landed in New York.

As Fox was getting his bearings on the East Coast, ragtime was born in 1910 and embraced across the United States. The dance was very different from previously popular and smoother ballroom waltz styles. Ragtime included partners dancing in a closer hold and improvising within the dances. Playful moves such as the kangaroo hop and turkey trop characterized this new dance style.

In 1914, Fox took the stage with his company of “American Beauties” in a New York theatre. Their dancing act was featured in between shows at the world’s largest movie house. One of their dancing acts included Henry trotting to ragtime music. The comical act was a hit and Fox’s “Trot” became popular in dance studios and dancing halls. It is believed that audiences tried to emulate Henry’s style of dance and called it “Fox’s trot.” In addition to this New York theater performance, the foxtrot gained momentum in the Jarin de Danse, which hosted a nightly revue.

At first, the Foxtrot had many short, “trotting” steps, as well as kicks, jumps and lunges. By the 1930s, the Foxtrot slowed down in tempo and dancers started taking longer steps and creating the elegant, continuous strides. When the dance migrated to Britain, ballroom experts smoothed the scampers, hops, and kicks out of Fox’s trot. This smoother version of the dance is much like the Foxtrot that is practiced today. Over time, the foxtrot split into quick and slow versions known as the “quickstep” and “foxtrot.” In the slower “foxtrot” version of the dance, International and American styles have distinguished the dance even further. It is used socially and popularly within ballroom dance competitions.