Salsa Music’s “Dia Nacional” Celebrates 30 Years

Every March for the past 30 years, Puerto Rico celebrates a day for Salsa Music. “El Dia Nacional de la Zalsa” (The National Day of Salsa) is an event founded and organized by local radio station Z-93.

The 30th edition of “El Dia Nacional de la Zalsa” (that’s why Salsa is spelled with “Z” for the event) is dedicated to Z-93’s founder, Pedro Arroyo, who passed away shortly after last year’s event.

What began as a day to highlight Salsa for the enjoyment for the Puerto Rico’s Salsa fans, has grown into an international event and an established Latin music tradition. “El Dia Nacional de la Zalsa” brings both fans and musicians from different parts of the world. Some Salsa music fans budget money and vacation time around this event.

“Dia Nacional” Part of Latin Music Culture

It’s impact and magnitude to Salsa music perhaps can only be compared to the “Festival de Cali” in Colombia, also known as the “Festival de la Salsa”. Cali’s Salsa music festival is a multi-day event which includes parades through the city and other events. This past December it celebrated its 55th edition, although it was more of an arts festival back then. It wasn’t until the early 80’s when it became focused on being a Salsa music event, which coincides in time with the start of the “Dia Nacional” in Puerto Rico.

Z-93 is a radio station that plays all kinds of Salsa music styles, and even has some Latin Jazz programs. It is mostly known for highlighting the old Salsa of the 70’s, 80’s, and even 90’s. It plays some of the less heard songs from good Salsa music albums of those years, but it also keeps up with current Salsa music.

Because of Z-93’s brand as a radio station that highlights the Salsa of the “golden years”, “El Dia Nacional de la Zalsa” often reunites some of the groups that recorded good Salsa music during those years. For example, this year the event also honors the Conjunto Canayon.

I like this group led by “Cano” Robles due to the participation of a talented trumpet player and vocalist named Cheito Quiñonez. In the past, Z-93 has brought together Tito Nieves and the Conjunto Clasico, Lalo Rodriguez and Eddie Palmieri, Andy Montanez and El Gran Combo (although that’s quite a frequent encounter), the Puerto Rico All Stars, Manny Oquendo’s Conjunto Libre, and many others.

Get The “Dia Nacional” on Radio or Internet

I look forward to the 30th edition of “El Dia Nacional de la Zalsa” and to many more editions of this Latin music tradition. This Salsa event, is always transmitted through Z-93, and if you are outside of Puerto Rico, you can catch Z-93 through the internet through La Mega.