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