History
The Tango, a distinctive dance and the corresponding musical style of tango music, began in the working-class port neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay. The name “Tango” is thought to be from either the Niger Congo languages of Africa or was borrowed from the existing word that described an entirely different dance in Andalusia.
The dance derives from the Cuban habanera, the Uruguayan milonga and condombe, and is said to contain elements from the African community in Buenos Aires, influenced both by ancient African rhythms and the music from Europe. In the early 1900s, the Tango was introduced to Europe where it became an instant hit. By 1913, it had arrived in New York and was modified to have less body contact. Its popularity has ebbed and flowed over time, but the Tango has experienced a surge of interest since the 1980s.
Songs You May Recognize
There are a large variety of songs that are Tangos and many that you will recognize. Some popular songs are listed below. At practices and dances we use a mixture of traditional music as well as modern music.
- La Cumparsita – 101 Strings Orchestra
- Santa Maria del buen Ayer – Gotan Project
- Tangogo – Beata Soderberg & Justango