Why Are There So Few Female Salsa Singers?
- Thread starter BullitproofSoul
- Start date
Hard to keep the frontline together. This wasn't the case with the late Tranvia; formed in 1996 at an independant music school in Amsterdam (the same where I'm the conga-player of the semi-instrumental party-band) they spread their wings a few years later and mainly performed at open-air events and our well-reputed Salsa Dance Nights. Indonesian descendants Babben (Bah-Ben), Audrey and Eveline stayed together throughout the band's eleven-year lifespan, pregnancy-breaks and overtime work aside. They celebrated their tenth anniversary early 2007 by inviting ex-members and subs (an outnumbering total of 15) on stage; the same happened a year later at their farewell-gig. Babben (who sang most of the leads) and Eveline had already joined 'sister-band' Tipico Tampoco as coristas; they're still there after (almost) eight years.
One who never found a wide audience according to this 'who's the next Celia ?'-article.
timberamayor
Son Montuno
Ah perfect! Then shortly you will be able to give us the answer
As to the groups you mentioned from Amsterdam, did they ever release any CDs? Oh and I just saw that one of the newest timba groups in Lima, Bun Bun Mezcla'o, has a female lead singer (an alto) and a female pianist. I also find it interesting that they chose a charanga format. gossip section: The singer is the pianist's mother. The bandleader (keyboardist) is married to the pianist 
Perfume de Salsa released one cd in 1993; Solo Ella, a mixture of standards ans original material, got rave-reviews and was promoted with a two-year-tour including radio- and tv-performances. After Titia Bal's departure, Perfume continued till 2005 in several line-up-changes with trumpet player Hermine Sneider being the sole original member.
In 1998 Titia released Nedersalsa (Dutch Salsa), a three-track cd in Dutch and Spanish containing a cover-version of the classic hit Je Bent Niet Hip (renamed No Tienes Swing) backed by two originals. It didn't carry the Rumbadama-name as only three members made it to the recording-sessions. Titia also released two cd's on her own label (Leticia Records) with non-Rumbadama-formats; one as a solo-artist playing the marimba (Live at the Kromhout) and one with Trio Son Cubano in which Delia Gonzalez shares the lead with her guitarist/songwriter husband Jesus Hernandez. A full-length band-cd is on the cards for some time.
In 1998 Titia released Nedersalsa (Dutch Salsa), a three-track cd in Dutch and Spanish containing a cover-version of the classic hit Je Bent Niet Hip (renamed No Tienes Swing) backed by two originals. It didn't carry the Rumbadama-name as only three members made it to the recording-sessions. Titia also released two cd's on her own label (Leticia Records) with non-Rumbadama-formats; one as a solo-artist playing the marimba (Live at the Kromhout) and one with Trio Son Cubano in which Delia Gonzalez shares the lead with her guitarist/songwriter husband Jesus Hernandez. A full-length band-cd is on the cards for some time.
Son Asi, a BVSC-style 4-teto (5-teto, when joined by a conga-/bongo-player) playing son, salsa and merengue. They've released two cd's so far; La Bicicleta from 2004 (as a 6-teto) and Sabor Tropical from 2008. When Son Asi visited his island in 2005, Eliades Ochoa was quoted "If I wasn't any the wiser, I would've swear that they were Cubans".
It was a long and interesting read; some of the answers were already listed here, but I'll mention them again; *women were expected to be good housewives, and learning to play an instrument (other than using their voice) was no part of the deal. Even if they managed to do so, they'd only reach amateur-level. *salsa was seen as an aggressive masculine style from the barrios; adding women would hurt the band's credibility, and there's the 'friends first-policy as well. *female singers are believed to be incapable of improvising, and those who can are immediately branded the next Celia Cruz; a kiss of death, and yet nobody compares male singers to Hector Lavoe or Ruben Blades (correct me if anyone did).Ah perfect! Then shortly you will be able to give us the answer
*Women from Europe and Latin-America were asked to fill in an enquiry to some surprising results. They sooner listen to salsa dura than to salsa romantica; and although the majority don't mind who's singing (let alone taking the mysogonist lyrics seriously), a huge part of the rest is drawn to male soneros. At least the orquestas femeninas are taken more seriously in Europe than in Latin-America where most of the Cali-bands are put together by male producers and dressed in sexy outfits for commercial reasons. The latter subject was also addressed in interviews with three musicians from the Dutch scene, all of whom with experience in all-female bands and all of whom easily accepted by the men upon entry; no hotpants for them.
If this was an official bookwork I'd say a must-read.
Are there any orquestas femeninas in the UK at the moment ? By chance I read that there used to be one (Candela) and that their lead-singer Martha Acosta now fronts boogaloo-band Manteca; taking a regular look on Youtube I know Martha as the voice of Yorkshire's finest Charanga del Norte.
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groovetpt
Son Montuno
Wow, I had a conversation with someone yesterday that reminded me of this thread... I was on my way to my doctors office in Queens and I ran into a very talented lady who is not only a wonderful Salsa singer but also a good friend -- I have played in her band for the past few years and recorded on her albums. She hasn't had a gig performing her own music with her band since May, although she sometimes sings as a guest artist with other groups from time to time, most recently with Conjunto Clasico at a festival just a couple of weeks ago.
So we see each other on the street, say our hello's, hugs and kisses, how are you's, where are you going?, small talk, whatever... and then she just comes right out and says it, half joking but also with a certain truth to it. "How come I'm not gigging with my band? It's because I'm a woman. They only hire men!". I didn't know what to say really, but I consoled her with the fact that she is a great talent no matter what ( that is for sure ) and that the business is down now and gigs are scarce for everyone ( very true ). "Things will pick up".
I never had that conversation with her before and it just came out of the blue -- but I suppose that is how many other women performers in Salsa really feel. They may not express it openly very often ( at least not the women I work with ).
So we see each other on the street, say our hello's, hugs and kisses, how are you's, where are you going?, small talk, whatever... and then she just comes right out and says it, half joking but also with a certain truth to it. "How come I'm not gigging with my band? It's because I'm a woman. They only hire men!". I didn't know what to say really, but I consoled her with the fact that she is a great talent no matter what ( that is for sure ) and that the business is down now and gigs are scarce for everyone ( very true ). "Things will pick up".
I never had that conversation with her before and it just came out of the blue -- but I suppose that is how many other women performers in Salsa really feel. They may not express it openly very often ( at least not the women I work with ).
The bands I'm into play ca. one to ten public gigs a year; professionals Leticia y su Rumbadama do, let's say, fifteen. Zulemax mainly perform during the festival-circuit and play nine to twelve dates; the current ten-date-tour winds down this Saturday in Lommel, Belgium.
Very interesting thread.
An aside (not salsa)...I've played in rock bands for over 40 years.
Female singers are rare in the rock band culture. Nothing to do with talent. There just isn't enough material that the audience wants to hear. They want AC/DC...then the Stones..then...the Beatles...ok to play a Fleetwood Mac or Madonna, but then they want The Doors or Billy Idol.
Yes, there can be a couple of bands with female leads but they are usually a niche market. The larger the city...the more opportunity for a female singer. Most venues don't want popular music but hard driving dance music. Customers when out want a different music to what they listen to at home. They want familiar covers. Most bands in my city will play the same 30 songs. Play 'Welcome to the Jungle ' and everyone gets up and dances...they may not even like G&R. Play most songs sung by a female lead and the guys sit down..then play 'White Wedding' and everyone is up again.
Also, for whatever reason 'boys' gravitate to instruments like electric guitar and drums. Singers in bands are often also musicians. There are excellent female guitarists (Joan Jett) but are for the most part a rare commodity. Most band members need to more versatile than tapping on a tambourine when not singing.
And...for whatever reason. Bands are social entities. We were a bunch of 'guys' getting together. Teenage boys. The Beatles, Stones, Buddy Holly or whoever...kick a ball around, talk about motorcycles, guitars. We could have just as well got into souping up cars as starting a band. 'Girls' were off doing there own thing.
Any female that makes it in much of the music industry has perseverance and incredible talent.
An aside (not salsa)...I've played in rock bands for over 40 years.
Female singers are rare in the rock band culture. Nothing to do with talent. There just isn't enough material that the audience wants to hear. They want AC/DC...then the Stones..then...the Beatles...ok to play a Fleetwood Mac or Madonna, but then they want The Doors or Billy Idol.
Yes, there can be a couple of bands with female leads but they are usually a niche market. The larger the city...the more opportunity for a female singer. Most venues don't want popular music but hard driving dance music. Customers when out want a different music to what they listen to at home. They want familiar covers. Most bands in my city will play the same 30 songs. Play 'Welcome to the Jungle ' and everyone gets up and dances...they may not even like G&R. Play most songs sung by a female lead and the guys sit down..then play 'White Wedding' and everyone is up again.
Also, for whatever reason 'boys' gravitate to instruments like electric guitar and drums. Singers in bands are often also musicians. There are excellent female guitarists (Joan Jett) but are for the most part a rare commodity. Most band members need to more versatile than tapping on a tambourine when not singing.
And...for whatever reason. Bands are social entities. We were a bunch of 'guys' getting together. Teenage boys. The Beatles, Stones, Buddy Holly or whoever...kick a ball around, talk about motorcycles, guitars. We could have just as well got into souping up cars as starting a band. 'Girls' were off doing there own thing.
Any female that makes it in much of the music industry has perseverance and incredible talent.
BullitproofSoul
Son Montuno
irony: female leads have dominated Pop the last few years.
True, because record sales and dance music are separate markets.
Female singers are popular in pop. Most records (now downloads) are purchased by females. Even the most popular music male singers in various genres are mostly purchased by females...Elvis, Bieber, Garth Brooks,Neil Diamond, Elton John etc.
However, if you want to get most the patrons on the dance floor, then the music has to motivate a male to ask a gal to dance. That music is some past or recent standard with some zip to it. Play Celine Dion at a general event, and 30 woman will sway to the music...the guys all go for a pee break. Then play 'Twist & Shout' and everyone is up dancing.
Salsa...I have no idea. I dance to the beat more than to a particular song.
BullitproofSoul
Son Montuno
That closes in on something I have been thinking about for about a month now. What's the difference between something that is designed to work on the radio and be commercially friendly, vs. what works in the club.
Radio stuff needs to feel a friendlier, whereas club stuff needs to have a more dangerous, hard-edge to it. Its quite difficult to create a record that works in both venues. A few records, just off the top of my head, that do both well: "Billy jean" by MJ, "Animals" - Martin Garrix, "In da Club" - 50 Cent. As far as Salsa...I'm not sure.
Radio stuff needs to feel a friendlier, whereas club stuff needs to have a more dangerous, hard-edge to it. Its quite difficult to create a record that works in both venues. A few records, just off the top of my head, that do both well: "Billy jean" by MJ, "Animals" - Martin Garrix, "In da Club" - 50 Cent. As far as Salsa...I'm not sure.
Well things have definitely changed for Woman & Men. Men were the hunters, providers, tool makers, builders of cities etc. for thousands if not millions of years. And Women responsibilities were to raise the young, cook & keep a house. This was true for the most part until the 1950's. A man was expected to be "macho" to be a good provider, so if he acted macho it was not necessarily a bad thing. Macho not meaning a male chauvinist pig. Meaning you can be macho and still be a gentleman.
Times have changed and Woman are probably the majority in the workforce now and no longer really need a man to support them economically. And at the same time with Men not needing to fulfill this role they too are enjoying this role reversal free of responsibilities. So Men in general are becoming less Macho & Woman less Feminine.
And if evolution is for real, Woman will take time to catch up or bypass Men in things they haven't done until recently. Same as sports, I was reading an article about the time coming when Woman will participate in Sports on the same level as Men.
In Salsa for the most part when men spoke Macho it was much more classy than you find in Reggaton or Hip-Hop. And many Latin woman did not get offended by it and actually sang the lyrics applying it to their relationship as if the lyrics were directed to a male, because it generally worked both ways. My wife will sometimes sing a woman bashing song loudly and playfully direct it to me.
Times have changed and Woman are probably the majority in the workforce now and no longer really need a man to support them economically. And at the same time with Men not needing to fulfill this role they too are enjoying this role reversal free of responsibilities. So Men in general are becoming less Macho & Woman less Feminine.
And if evolution is for real, Woman will take time to catch up or bypass Men in things they haven't done until recently. Same as sports, I was reading an article about the time coming when Woman will participate in Sports on the same level as Men.
In Salsa for the most part when men spoke Macho it was much more classy than you find in Reggaton or Hip-Hop. And many Latin woman did not get offended by it and actually sang the lyrics applying it to their relationship as if the lyrics were directed to a male, because it generally worked both ways. My wife will sometimes sing a woman bashing song loudly and playfully direct it to me.