Arsenio Rodríguez initially developed son montuno from son. He added instrumental solos called montunos. He also added guaguanco influence, increased the importance of the trumpets and tres, and added new instruments such as the congas and piano. Beny Moré (known as the "Barbarian of Rhythm") further evolved the genre, adding guaracha, bolero and mambo influences, helping make him extraordinarily popular and is now cited as perhaps the greatest sonero.

Later, mambo was derived from son montuno and danzón by making the montuno sections the focus of songs.