About this project

“Barrio Boogie” is a 90-minute documentary film about the cultural phenomena that was Salsa and Boogaloo music in the 1960's and 1970's. The documentary will trace and tell the story of this explosion of sounds and culture that was birthed in New York City in the late 1960’s by Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Cuban youth as a direct response to their interaction with their new urban reality.

Born from the meshing of traditional Caribbean sounds-such as Bomba, Plena, and Son-with Jazz and Soul, Salsa and Boogaloo represented the musical oratory of the young first and second generation Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Cuban population which was continuously redefining the New York City landscape. This new sound would go on to stretch out its reach to influence other genres of music and expand its audience worldwide.

The documentary will itself be a contrived mesh of both oral history and archival footage of that era. "Barrio Boogie" will be lead by oral history told by those directly involved in its birth and development as well as individuals currently redefining the sound and culture.

The documentary’s purpose is to highlight the significant impact Salsa and Boogaloo made to the art of music. The documentary will shed light on the numerous artists, musicians, promoters, and such who birthed and developed the sound. "Barrio Boogie" will also finally give credit to the musicians who played major roles in defining and reshaping other genres of music such as Jazz, Soul, and Hip-Hop.

Furthermore, "Barrio Boogie" will showcase the tremendous cultural and political impact that the Salsa generation of the 1960’s and 1970’s had on redefining their environment. Some time will be giving to discussing the political undertones of the music and how the civil rights/revolutionary movements of the time both in New York City and in Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic directly influenced one another.

The money raised is to make real this documentary. We have already begun the process and now need to do the work!

We are grateful for your time and contribution.