The King of Pop's reign extends to the salsa kingdom

November 11, 3:29 PMAtlanta Salsa Scene ExaminerMaya Garner

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One of the largest revelations many had after the passing of Michael Jackson, was just how much the man and and his image are ingrained in American pop culture as a whole. Moreover, it became apparent that the King of Pop's reign was not restricted solely to the "kingdom" of pop music. Judging by the amount of salsa-fied Michael Jackson tributes that existed, even before the icon's sudden Summer death, it is easy to see the profound influence the man has had on dancers everywhere, including salseros.

The salsa scene has witnessed a resurgence of Michael Jackson-themed performances. At salsa congresses across the globe, performers put together tribute shows. A little-known Los Angeles-based producer known as Berna Jam saw his salsa remix of Jackson's "You Rock My World" become one of the most sought-after downloads by enthusiastic salseros, eager to express their love for Michael's music through the dance form they enjoy best. In Atlanta, an event held days after Jackson's death that was originally intended to be a Fania tribute morphed into an impromptu joint-Fania/Michael Jackson tribute party, with DJs mixing Jackson's songs right into sets that featured the likes of Hector Lavoe and Celia Cruz. At the 2009 New York International Salsa Congress, one of the most-talked about performances was a preview of a full-length Michael Jackson tribute show, by salsa dancer and singer Seaon Bristol.  The full show, titled Rock with You: A Broadway Latin Style Production is scheduled for a January premiere in San Francisco, and will feature some of the top salsa talent in the US.

The Michael Jackson salsa story does not end there, however. This Is It, the Michael Jackson concert documentary film, has also found a guaranteed audience amongst salsa dance enthusiasts. Flocks of salsa dancers around the country continually update their tweets and Facebook statuses immediately after seeing the film, which is currently in theaters nationwide. Jackson's noticeable bond with his crew, especially the dancers, seems to be, of course, one of the more moving aspects of the film for salsa dancers. Appropriately, the film's opening moments, which include tearful testimony from dancers from around the globe who were chosen to perform with Jackson, are particularly appealing to salseros, and they find themselves immediately drawn in, and remain captivated through the remainder of the movie.  

Michael Jackson's influence will remain an integral part of the art of salsa dancers everywhere, whether in overt fashion with tributes, or in less obvious, but still recognizable ways.  We will continue to see flashes of Michael's signature moves from the choreographies of salseros in onstage performances to the improvised jam sessions on social dance floors around the world.

For more information on This Is It, click here. For more information on Rock With You: A Broadway Latin Style Production, click here.