 |
 |
 |
Guillermo on maracas
Photo by Denise |
2007 U.S. postage stamp |
Enrique Jorrin
Creator of the cha cha cha |
CHA CHA CHA: THE MUSIC
In 1951, Cuban composer and violinist Enrique Jorrín introduced the first cha-cha-chás," La Engañadora" and " Silver Star" delighting dancers at the Silver Star society, a popular dance spot at the corner of Prado and Neptuno in Centro Habana. Jorrín, at that time a member of the charanaga group Orquesta America of Ninon Mondejar. Jorrin said that the shuffling sound of the dancers’ footwork during the montuno section of the danzon inspired him to create the rhythm. Cha Cha Cha, closely linked to mambo, was originally called "mambo-rumba" and later "triple mambo" or "mambo with guiro rhythm".
CHA CHA CHA:THE DANCE
Cha cha cha, danced by couples dance, use a pattern of 8 counts across two bars in 4/4 time to describe the basic step. The timing of the cha cha cha (also known as triple step or chasse) depends on the style of cha cha cha. |
