Just to clarify a bit of history, Songo was created in 1969.
Los Van Van were formed Dec 4th 1969, (Juan Formell left Orchesta Reve as MD and formed Los Van Van) at the time together with Blas Egues (original drummer) and Raul Cardenas "El Yulo" (congas) created the rhythmic foundations of Songo.
In 1970 Jose Luis Quintana replaces Blas Egues and it is here that Changuito continues the development started by Juan Formell, Blas Egues and Raul Cardenas and greatly expands the parameters of Songo, introducing revolutionary advanced technique for Timbal/Drums and Congas.
If interested, here is DCI release: History of Songo - complete
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl2Wrzgj7zMThroughout the 80's and 90's Puerto Rican powerhouse bands Batacumbele and Zaperoko also did great things with Songo.
While mainstream US latin style is 'salsa' it is not surprising Songo is not commonly heard nor played in 'mainstream' salsa within the US.
In Cuba Songo continues to evolve everywhere, aside from Van Van continuing to evolve, Pupy same, also Suave Tumbao, so many more, but in particular with somewhat newcomer on the scene Maykel Blanco y Su Salsa Mayor. great band, caught them several times during my stays in Havana.
Here is a recent example of Songo from their most recent CD release which features collaborations from singers from Pachito Alonso, Pupy, Bamboleo and Reve:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHEauu7QlYcSome older tracks, still popular though:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohgk7yllB8w and one of my personal fave's by the band:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aYiTsRClcISongo forms are played a fair bit here in Sydney, along with some of the other cities, Cuban styles are alive and strong here, most leading musicians preferring to play the more intricate Cuban style repertoires as it is somewhat felt that US Salsa, while still cool n all, simply has not evolved with the times as much as Cuban styles. No offence intended.
Songo is alive and well and very popular throughout all of Europe, Asia and Sth & Central America. Leading popular Cuban bands such as Havana D'Primera, Pupy Y Los Que Son Son, Reve y Su Charangon, Maykel Blanco, Los Van Van, Adalberto Alvarez, La Charanga Habanera and many many others are in constant high demand and touring these nations frequently. Coming out of Peru is pretty cool band Barbaro Fines y Su Mayimbe aka BFM, also making their mark in the Timba/Songo genres and have already toured Cuba, Europe, Sth America and recently a few US cities also.
Some interesting somewhat new bands making their mark in the US (from Miami) and getting around the globe a bit now over recent years are 'Timbalive' and 'Demanana' both use Songo and Songo elements in their music (among many other styles predominantly Cuban)
Example of 'Demanana'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsfBeM2DsNMExample of 'Timbalive'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7BdXmVAt24(original version by Los Van Van)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsOWJA9qS8oThere are others, one cannot go past Pedrito Martinez Group, however I feel this group uses far more experimental elements, fused to create their own unique sound, elements of many Cuban genres, Jazz, Funk, Classical and more.
I was more so referring to full size more 'traditionally Songo/Timba' bands making their mark.
Songo today continues to evolve out of Cuba, I personally picked up a few new grooves which continued to develop in the year since I had last been in Havana. Its amazing to see the progress and development, it had been less than 12 months since I had last been in Havana and there was clear evolution in that small time.
Of course, no traditions are lost, the old is preserved and the wealth of knowledge is passed on to a cup which never over fills.