Mambo

In the 1940s Americans became fascinated by Latin American rhythms. The Mambo combined American Jazz with an Afro-Cuban beat. For dancers, the Mambo was an exciting challenge. Today, the Mambo is exciting to watch and even more exciting to dance.

Characteristics of the Dance

Wiild, exciting music and rhythmical body movements make the earthy Mambo irresistible. Components of Mambo are rock steps and side steps. Foot styling includes points, kicks, and flicks. Latin hip movement in Mambo is an important aspect of the dance. The flavor of the dance is evident in the translation of the word, Mambo, which means “shake it” or “say it.”

Sample Songs

Mambo music is written in 4/4 time with each measure divided into four beats. The important musical accents occur on the first and third beats. The dance can be done in a wide range of tempos.

Johnny’s Mambo

La Bamba
Connie Francis