| Cha Cha is either danced to authentic Latin | | | | the more modern styles in Afro Cuban music, |
| music, or more contemporary Latin Pop or | | | | can be attributed to a single individual, |
| Latin Rock. The music for the ballroom Cha | | | | Pedro lzquierdo ("Pello el Afroka'n"). |
| Cha is energetic and with a steady beat. Cha | | | | Following the Cuban revolution of 1959, |
| Cha rhythm and style was developed by | | | | lzquierdo sought to create a musical style |
| musicians and dancers desiring a slowed down | | | | combining many Afro Cuban and African |
| (half time) version of a Mambo, taking it | | | | rhythms: Abakwa, Yoruba, Congo, Carabali, and |
| back to its roots in Danzon. Enrique Jorrin | | | | Jiribilla. |
| is credited with inventing and naming the Cha | | | | |
| Cha in 1951. Its popularity reached a peak | | | | The original style employed a large |
| during that decade in dance clubs throughout | | | | percussion ensemble. According to lzquierdo, |
| Cuba and the United States. One of the most | | | | "The Mozambique is played with 12 conga |
| widely recognized Cha Chas in Latin and | | | | drums, played by five conga drummers, two |
| American pop music is "Oye Como Va" ("Listen | | | | bass drums, three bells, a frying pan, four |
| How It Goes," written by Tito Puente, further | | | | trumpets, and three trombones." The |
| popularized by Carlos Santana). As in other | | | | Mozambique immediately achieved overwhelming |
| Afro Cuban rhythm styles, the drum set player | | | | popularity after its Cuban television debut |
| takes on the roles of several percussionists | | | | in July 1963. Pianist Eddie Palmieri is |
| at once. The defining sound of the style is | | | | credited as being the first to develop it in |
| the repetitive quarter notes on the Cha Cha | | | | North America. After hearing a Cuban |
| bell (sometimes referred to as the "Cha bell" | | | | Mozambique played on the radio, Palmieri and |
| usually played by the ride hand). | | | | drummer Manny Oquendo created what has become |
| | | | the North American (specifically, New York |
| In addition, a conga pattern (played between | | | | City) version of the rhythm and style. Other |
| the snare and the high tom), and the bass | | | | musicians and other artists to explore the |
| drum pattern complimenting the bass player, | | | | Mozambique include Issac (sic) Delgado, |
| help distinguish this rhythm style. Cha Cha | | | | Carlos Santana, and finally Paul Simon with |
| is generally played at a medium tempo | | | | the song "Late in the Evening" (1980), played |
| starting around quarter note = one hundred | | | | by the innovative drummer Steve Gadd. |
| and ten bits per minute. Mozambique, one of | | | | |