Salsa del Rio, Salsa and Latin Jazz Ensemble, became a class at Texas State in the Fall of 1995. This ensemble is dedicated to the study and performance of music from Latin America. This consists of music from Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico. We also study music of Latin American composers living in America (i.e. New York City or Miami, Florida) who have contributed to the advancement of the style.

Some of the popular styles we study include Mambo, Son-Montuno, Cha Cha Cha, Bolero, Merengue, Guaguanco and many others.

Some of the popular artists we study include Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony, Hector Lavoe, Albita, Tito Puente, Olga Tañon, Orquesta de la Luz, Cubanismo, Poncho Sanchez, Celia Cruz, Spanish Harlem, and many others.

The group has recorded five CDs at the Fire Station Studios. Que Siga La Tradicion was released in the Spring of 2000, Salsa En Mi Alma was released in the Spring of 2002, La Noche Nunca Para released in Fall 2004, Lloraras y Lloraras released in Fall of 2006, and Pasiones was released in the Spring of 2010.

The salsa ensemble also joins the mariachi and jazz ensembles for a yearly recruiting trip to the South Texas area. These trips have included performances at various high schools in Eagle Pass, the Rio Grande Valley, and Laredo, Texas. The group performs regularly for private parties, on and off campus, in the San Marcos, Austin, and San Antonio areas.