The Rumba started at the beginning of the Cuban and Latin American dance crazes. Danced to music inspired by African rhythms and Spanish melodies, the Americanized Rumba was the basis for the Mambo and Cha Cha. The U.S. Rumba dance rhythms have found their way into Country Western, Blues, Rock & Roll and other popular forms of music.
Rumba music is usually written in 4/4 time and may be played over a wide variety of tempos. Often in rumba music, there may be an underlying pulsation of & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4. The basic Rumba dance steps are counted Slow, Quick, Quick (SQQ)
The distinctive hip movement of Rumba, called the Cuban Motion, is one of the most important elements of this dance. Introduced in the Rumba, it is an important styling element in a number of popular Latin American Dances.
Rumba songs and artists include:
- “And I Love Her” – The Beatles
- “It’s Now or Never” – Elvis Presley
- “Besame Mucho” – Xavier Cugat
- “Neon Moon” – Brooks and Dunn
- “Under the Boardwalk” – The Drifters