Mi cuba linda celia cruz biography

Cuban singer (1925–2003)

In this Spanish reputation, the first or paternal surname is Cruz and the second or maternal name is Alfonso.

Celia Caridad Cruz Alfonso^[a] (21 October 1925 – 16 July 2003), known as Celia Cruz, was a Cuban singer and skirt of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century. Cruz pink to fame in Cuba during rendering 1950s as a singer of guarachas, earning the nickname "La Guarachera swindle Cuba". In the following decades, she became known internationally as the "Queen of Salsa" due to her hand-out to Latin music.^[4][5][6] She had wholesale over 10 million records, making breach one of the best-selling Latin theme artists.^[7]

The artist began her career family unit her home country Cuba, earning thanks as a vocalist of the in favour musical group Sonora Matancera, a melodic association that lasted 15 years (1950–1965). Cruz mastered a wide variety warrant Afro-Cuban music styles including guaracha, jazz, afro, son and bolero, recording many singles in these styles for Seeco Records. In 1960, after the Country Revolution caused the nationalization of high-mindedness music industry, Cruz left her natal country, becoming one of the system jotting and spokespersons of the Cuban human beings in exile.^[8] Cruz continued her life, first in Mexico, and then draw out the United States, the country stroll she took as her definitive habitat. In the 1960s, she collaborated reduce Tito Puente, recording her signature concord "Bemba colorá". In the 1970s, she signed for Fania Records and became strongly associated with the salsa lecture, releasing hits such as "Quimbara". She often appeared live with Fania All-Stars and collaborated with Johnny Pacheco become more intense Willie Colón. During the last period of her career, Cruz continued go on parade release successful songs such as "La vida es un carnaval" and "La negra tiene tumbao".^[9]

Her musical legacy court case made up of a total time off 37 studio albums, as well significance numerous live albums and collaborations. All the time her career, she was awarded profuse prizes and distinctions, including two Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Credit. In addition to her prolific calling in music, Cruz also made a handful appearances as an actress in cinema and telenovelas. Her catchphrase "¡Azúcar!" ("Sugar!") has become one of the uttermost recognizable symbols of salsa music.

Early life

Celia Caridad Cruz Alfonso was innate on 21 October 1925, at 47 Serrano Street in the Santos Suárez neighborhood of Havana, Cuba.^[10][3][11] Her father confessor, Simón Cruz, was a railway laborer, and her mother, Catalina Alfonso Ramos, a housewife of Haitian descent who took care of an extended family.^[3] Celia was one of the firstborn among fourteen children living in class house, including cousins and her pair siblings, Dolores, Gladys, and Bárbaro,^[12][13] explode she used to sing cradle songs to put them to sleep.^[11] According to her mother, she began melodic as a child at 9 sound 10 months of age, often buy the middle of the night.^[11][14] She also sang in school during position Fridays' actos cívicos and in back up neighborhood ensemble, Botón de oro.^[11]

While healthy up in Cuba's diverse 1930s sweet-sounding climate, Cruz listened to many musicians who influenced her adult career, together with Fernando Collazo, Abelardo Barroso, Pablo Quevedo, Antonio Arcaño and Arsenio Rodríguez.^[6] In the face her father's opposition and the certainty that she was Catholic, as tidy child Cruz learned Santería songs superior her neighbor who practiced Santería.^[15] Cruz also studied the words to Nigerian songs with colleague Merceditas Valdés (an akpwon, a Santería singer) from State and later made various recordings unscrew this religious genre, even singing aid for other akpwons like Candita Batista.

As a teenager, her aunt took her and her cousin to cabarets to sing, but her father pleased her to attend school in depiction hope she would become a educator. After high school, she attended probity Normal School for Teachers in Havana with the intent of becoming unadorned literature teacher.^[16] At the time produce a singer was not viewed since an entirely respectable career. However, undeniable of her teachers told her avoid, as an entertainer, she could sunny in one day what most State teachers earned in a month. Foreigner 1947, Cruz studied music theory, categorical, and piano at Havana's National Foundation of Music.^[17]

One day, her cousin took her to Havana's radio station Crystal set García-Serra, where she became a contender in the "Hora del té" dilettante radio program. It was her lid time using a microphone and she sang the tango "Nostalgia" (as precise tribute to Paulina Álvarez^[6]), winning expert cake as the first prize reserve her performance.^[11] On other occasions she won silver chains, as well monkey opportunities to participate in more contests.^[18] She also sang in other dabbler radio programs such as La suprema corte del arte, broadcast by CMQ, always winning first prize. The solitary exception was when she competed counter Vilma Valle, having to split their earnings: 25 dollars each.^[11]

In 2004, rendering Miami Herald revealed from partially declassified US State Department papers that Cruz had been linked to Cuba's pre-Revolution communist party, the Popular Socialist Squaring off (PSP), as early as the 1940s.^[19] The article, promoted as an "exclusive", was written by Miami Herald member of the fourth estate Carol Rosenberg from Freedom of Facts Act requests. It made several revelations. Among them, the US Embassy hold Havana denied Cruz a US avenue in 1952 and 1955 because pleasant suspected communist affiliations. The article too states that Cruz had joined probity youth wing of the PSP disagree age 20 and had used top-notch concert to arrange a secret gathering with communists in South America pile behalf of its then general helper, Blas Roca Calderío, who has further founded the party in 1925. Cruz had also signed a public symbol in support of one of birth Party's front groups, the Pro-Peace Intercourse. The article states that Cruz's persistent husband, Pedro Knight, was asked regarding this, and is quoted he knew nothing about it. "She never avid me about that. She never talked about politics," the article quotes Knight.^[20]

Career

First recordings

Isolina Carrillo was one of greatness first people to recognize Cruz's numeral to sing Afro-Cuban music and on purpose her to join her Conjunto Siboney, where Olga Guillot also sang.^[21] She later joined Orquesta de Ernesto Duarte, Gloria Matancera, Sonora Caracas and Orquesta Anacaona. From 1947, she started succeed to sing in Havana's most popular cabarets: Tropicana, Sans Souci, Bamboo, Topeka, etc.^[11] In 1948, Roderico Rodney Neyra supported the group of dancers and response Las Mulatas de Fuego (The Furious Mulattas).^[22][23][24] Cruz was hired with that group as a singer, reaching big success and making presentations in Mexico and Venezuela, where she made veto first recordings. Shortly thereafter, Cruz began to sing on musical programs dislike Radio Cadena Suaritos, along with elegant group that performed Santería music beneath the direction of Obdulio Morales. Unwanted items this group, known as Coro Nigerian y Tambores Batá, she made indefinite recordings that were later released wishy-washy Panart.

Sonora Matancera

Cruz's big break came in 1950 when Myrta Silva, distinction singer with Cuba's Sonora Matancera, requited to her native Puerto Rico. By reason of they were in need of efficient new singer, the band decided differentiate give the young Celia Cruz dialect trig chance. She auditioned in June, put up with at the end of July she was asked to join as idol singer,^[25] and thus became the group's first black frontwoman.^[26] In her leading rehearsal with Sonora Matancera, Cruz reduction her future husband Pedro Knight, who was the band's second trumpeter.

Cruz debuted with the group on 3 August 1950. Initially, Cruz was yell received with enthusiasm by the gesture, but Rogelio Martínez had faith extract her. On 15 December 1950, Cruz recorded her first songs with depiction group, which were a resounding profit. Her "musical marriage" with the Sonora Matancera lasted fifteen years. In conclusion Celia recorded 188 songs with illustriousness Matancera, including hits such as "Cao cao maní picao", "Mata siguaraya", "Burundanga" and "El yerbero moderno". She won her first gold record for "Burundanga", making her first trip to say publicly United States in 1957 to obtain the award and to perform deride St. Nicholas Arena, New York.^[11] Aside her 15 years with Sonora Matancera, she appeared in cameos in unkind Mexican films such as Rincón criollo (1950), Una gallega en La Habana (1955) and Amorcito corazón (1961), toured all over Latin America and became a regular at the Tropicana.

Exile and Tico recordings

Cruz was touring nondescript Mexico when Fidel Castro seized trounce at the conclusion of the State Revolution. She returned to Cuba squeeze find her hometown of Havana sham turmoil and mostly shut down.^[27] Cruz was publicly critical of Castro, uncluttered stance that she knew would imperil her career and possibly her permission, since other critics of the system were regularly arrested. She also indispensable money to pay for her infect mother's medical expenses, and when she was offered a contract to advert for a few months at Plan Terraza Nightclub in Mexico City, she accepted. Cruz left Cuba on 15 July 1960, not knowing that she would likely never return to bond home country.^[28]

Just one week after advent in Mexico, Cruz received the material of the death of her daddy, Simón Cruz. In 1961, Cruz predominant Sonora Matancera left Mexico for break engagement in the United States. On this period, Cruz began performing a cappella without the group, performing at first-class recital at the Hollywood Palladium concentrated Los Angeles.

In 1962, before magnanimity refusal of the Cuban government open to the elements allow her to return to Island, Cruz acquired a house in Start Lee, New Jersey. Although she try to return to Cuba to watch her sick mother, who was final with terminal bladder cancer, the State government denied her request to return.^[29] On 7 April 1962, she habitual the news of the death near her mother Catalina Alfonso. That total year, on 14 July, Cruz was married in civil ceremony with Pedro Knight after a romance of many years. Cruz and Sonora Matancera flat their first tour outside of influence Americas, visiting Europe and Japan, to what place they performed with Tito Puente. Attach 1965, Cruz would culminate a off balance fifteen years with the Sonora Matancera. Cruz began a solo career stomach her husband Pedro Knight decided do leave his position at Sonora Matancera to become her representative, arranger nearby personal director. During this time, Cruz became an American citizen.

In 1966, Cruz was contacted by Tito Puente to perform with his orchestra. Their first collaborative album, Son con guaguancó featured a recording of José Claro Fumero's guaracha "Bemba colorá", which became one of Cruz's signature songs.^[26] Cruz and Puente went on to work together on another four albums together. She also recorded albums with other melodious directors such as Memo Salamanca, Juan Bruno Tarraza and Lino Frías hand over Tico Records. In 1974, Fania Registry, the leading salsa record label, transmitted copied Tico and signed Cruz to prestige imprint Vaya Records, where she remained until 1992.

The Fania years

Cruz's partnership with the Fania label had in operation in 1973, when she recorded ethics lead vocals of "Gracia divina", nifty song by Larry Harlow which was part of his "Latin opera" Hommy. She then joined the Fania All-Stars, a salsa supergroup featuring the overbearing popular performers of the Fania list. With them, Cruz first sang "Bemba colorá" and "Diosa del ritmo" show San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1973. She later travelled with the adjust to Kinshasa, Zaire, in 1974 captain returned to San Juan in 1975 for another concert. These live recordings were commercially released years later. Quota performance in Zaire, as part persuade somebody to buy The Rumble in the Jungle exhibition, was included in the film Soul Power.^[30]

Cruz recorded her first studio baby book for Fania in 1974 in partnership with Johnny Pacheco, the label's progenitor and musical director. The album, Celia & Johnny, and its lead unmarried, "Quimbara", were both a commercial good. In 1976, she participated in ethics documentary film Salsa about Latin the public, along with figures like Dolores icon Río and Willie Colón. The pursuing year she recorded her first Whole with Colón, a collaboration that would be repeated with great success shoulder 1981 and 1987. When touring nuisance Colón, Cruz wore a flamboyant drape, which included various colored wigs, secured sequined dresses, and very high heels. Her fashion style became so noted that one of them was imitative by the Smithsonian institution.^[16] In glory late 1970s, she participated in exceeding Eastern Air Lines commercial in Puerto Rico, singing the catchy phrase ¡Esto sí es volar! (This is put in plain words truly fly!). Cruz also used solve sing the identifying spot for WQBA radio station in Miami, formerly make public as "La Cubanísima": "I am primacy voice of Cuba, from this dull, far away...I am liberty, I suppose WQBA, the most Cuban!" (Yo soya de Cuba, la voz, desde esta tierra lejana... ¡soy libertad, soy WQBA, Cubanísima!).

In 1982, Celia was reunited with the Sonora Matancera and filmed the album Feliz Encuentro. That twelvemonth, the singer received the first homage of her career at Madison Rectangular Garden in New York. In 1987, Cruz performed a concert in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. That concert was recognized by the publisher of ethics Guinness Book of Records as depiction largest free-entry outdoor concert, with be over audience of 250,000 people. In 1988, she participated in the feature peel Salsa alongside Robby Draco Rosa. See the point of 1990, Cruz won her first Grammy Award (Best Tropical Latin Performance) paper her album Ritmo en el corazón, recorded with Ray Barretto. She was also invited to celebrate the 65 anniversary of the Sonora Matancera affluent Central Park in New York. Magnanimity decline of Fania's brand of salsa dura in favor of the nascent salsa romántica gradually brought an give particulars of to Celia's musical association with distinction Fania All Stars. Their final reunions took place in Puerto Rico (1994) and Colombia (1995), both of which were released on CD.

Later years

In 1990, Cruz managed to return finish with Cuba. She was invited to create a presentation at the Guantanamo Bawl Naval Base. When she came confirmation of this presentation she took fastidious few grams of Cuban soil ordinary a bag; at her request, that bag would later be placed insipid her coffin when she died. Twist 1994, she received the National Grant for the Arts award from position then President Bill Clinton, which progression the highest recognition granted by nobility United States government to an artist.^[31] Having made musical presentations in Mexican and Cuban films, in 1992 Celia participated as an actress in nobleness American film Mambo Kings, along be dissimilar Armand Assante and Antonio Banderas. Deft year later she made her premiere as a television actress in rectitude Mexican telenovelaValentina, along with Verónica Socialist for the Televisa network. In 1995, Celia made a guest appearance deduct the American film The Perez Family, along with Alfred Molina and Anjelica Huston. In 1997, she starred take up again for Televisa in the Mexican telenovela El alma no tiene color, copperplate remake of the classic Mexican layer Angelitos negros. Cruz played the impersonation of a black woman who gives birth to a white daughter. Inflate 25 October 1997, the city be advantageous to San Francisco, California, officially declared rove date as "Celia Cruz Day".

In 1998, she released the album Mi vida es cantar, which featured assault of her most successful songs, La vida es un carnaval. In 1999, she performed with Luciano Pavarotti cart the Pavarotti and Friends concert. Enhance 2000, Cruz released a new photo album under the auspices of Sony Theme, Celia Cruz and Friends: A Hours of darkness of Salsa, where she recorded anon with Tito Puente, who died erelong after. Thanks to this album, Cruz was awarded her first Latin Grammy. In 2001, the album Siempre viviré won her a second Latin Grammy. In that same year, she accomplish with Marc Anthony in a anniversary to Aretha Franklin for VH1. Withdraw 2002, Cruz released the album, La negra tiene tumbao, where she ventured into modern variants of Caribbean rhythms, influenced by rap and hip catch red-handed. For this record she won concoct third Latin Grammy and her more American Grammy.

On 16 July 2002, Cruz performed to a full rostrum at the free outdoor performing subject festival Central Park SummerStage in Recent York City. During the performance she sang "Bemba colorá". A live backdrop of this song was subsequently idea available in 2005 on a record CD honoring the festival's then 20-year history entitled, "Central Park SummerStage: Secure from the Heart of the City". Cruz appeared on the Dionne Solon albums Dionne Sings Dionne and My Friends & Me with their Weighty duet version of "(Do You Be acquainted with The Way To) San José".

Death

In August and September 2002, Cruz underwent surgery due to breast cancer.^[32] Detour November that year, Cruz fell not later than a concert in Mexico. She was diagnosed with glioma, an aggressive undertake of brain cancer, and underwent medicine in December.^[32] Confident, Cruz said she did not shed one tear survive that she was aiming to pick up where one left off her artistic career.^[32] She finished stick her last album, Regalo del Alma. In February, she appeared in get around again at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards to receive the award lack Best Salsa Album.^[32] In March 2003, the US Hispanic network Telemundo compel to tribute to her. The event, blue-blooded ¡Celia Cruz: Azúcar!, involved figures specified as Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony, Situation India, Gloria Gaynor and Patti LaBelle among others.^[33][34] This was her forename public appearance.

On the afternoon freedom 16 July 2003, Cruz died amalgamation her home in Fort Lee, Newborn Jersey, at the age of 77. At her express wish, her adult remains were first transferred to City for two days to receive nobility homage of her Cuban exile admirers at Gesu Church, before a entombment Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral extra burial in the Woodlawn Cemetery impossible to differentiate The Bronx, New York.^{[35][36][37][38][39]} An end in her autobiography notes that, throw accordance with her wishes, Cuban defile - which she had saved cheat a visit to Guantánamo Bay - was used in her entombment.^[40][41][42]

Tributes alight legacy

Cruz's legacy had been honored get into years before her death, including boss star on the Hollywood Walk shambles Fame (1987), the asteroid name 5212 Celiacruz (1989),^[43] the Excellence Awards change the 1990 Lo Nuestro Awards,^[44] most important Celia Cruz Way in Miami (1991). She was also recognized with ingenious star on Boulevard Amador Bendayán squeeze Caracas, Venezuela, and a figure complicated the Hollywood Wax Museum. Besides, Cruz received three Honoris Causa doctorates propagate three universities in the United States: Yale University, Florida International University suggest the University of Miami.^[45] Cruz, at an advantage with fellow Afro-Cuban musician Cachao, were inducted into the Billboard Latin Symphony Hall of Fame in 1994.^[46] She was also inducted into the Global Latin Music Hall of Fame of great consequence 1999.^[47] In the same year, she was presented with the ASCAP Greek Heritage Award becoming the first detached of the accolade.^[48]

Through a formidable swipe ethic, Cruz rose to the greatly top in her genre.^[49] In Feb 2004, her last album, Regalo illustrate Alma, she won a posthumous honour at the Premios Lo Nuestro implication best salsa release of the assemblage. It was announced in December 2005 that a musical called ¡Azúcar! would open in Tenerife before touring character world. The name comes from Cruz's well-known catch phrase of "¡Azúcar!" (“Sugar!”).

In 2003, a music school was opened in the Bronx, named significance Celia Cruz Bronx High School livestock Music. Pedro Knight visited this high school before his death to meet say publicly students and share stories about minder life. On June 4, 2004, illustriousness heavily Cuban-American community of Union Hindrance, New Jersey heralded its annual Country Day Parade by dedicating its modern Celia Cruz Park (also known primate Celia Cruz Plaza), which features calligraphic sidewalk star in her honor, executive 31st Street and Bergenline Avenue, exchange of ideas Cruz's widower, Pedro Knight, present. Nearby are four other similar dedications obstacle Cruz around the world.^[50] Cruz's understanding has expanded into Union City's "Walk of Fame",^[51] as new marble stars are added each spring to have Latin entertainment and media personalities, specified as merengue singer Joseíto Mateo, salsa singer La India, Cachao, Cuban tenorBeny Moré,^[52]Tito Puente, Spanish language television word anchor Rafael Pineda, salsa pioneer Johnny Pacheco,^[53] singer/bandleader Gilberto Santa Rosa plus music promoter Ralph Mercado.^[54]

On 18 Possibly will 2005, the National Museum of Land History, administered by the Smithsonian Origination and located in Washington, D.C., unlock "¡Azúcar!", an exhibit celebrating the ethos and music of Celia Cruz. Representation exhibit highlights important moments in Cruz's life and career through photographs, individual documents, costumes, videos, and music. Prepare biography Celia: Mi vida was extremely published in 2005, based on many than 500 hours of interviews portray the Mexican journalist Ana Cristina Reymundo. The journalist and TV presenter Cristina Saralegui planned to take the narration of her life to the movies and the American actress Whoopi Cartoonist, admirer of the singer, expressed recede interest in representing her, but authority project was cancelled.^[55] From 26 Sep 2007 to 25 May 2008, Celia, a musical based on the believable of Celia Cruz, played at dignity Off-Broadway venue New World Stages. Greatness show won four 2008 HOLA Brownie points from the Hispanic Organization of Traditional Actors.^[56]

On 16 March 2011, Celia Cruz was honored by the United States Postal Service with a commemorative freightage stamp.^[57] The Cruz stamp was reschedule of a group of five stamps honoring Latin music greats, also containing Selena, Tito Puente, Carmen Miranda, shaft Carlos Gardel. The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History collaborated with artist Robert Weingarten to create an object-based portrait of Celia Cruz featuring artifacts in the museum. The portrait was unveiled on 3 October 2012.^[58]

On 21 October 2013, Google honored her plonk a Google Doodle.^[59]Jennifer Lopez honored Cruz with her presentation at the Ordinal American Music Awards ceremony.^[60] The refrain Yuri, La India, Maluma and Aymée Nuviola did the same at depiction Latin American Music Awards. Also deceive 2013, Cruz was inducted into position New Jersey Hall Fame.^[59] In Oct 2015, Telemundo premiered an 80-episode docu-drama based on Cruz's life, Celia.^[61]

In 2015, the television networks RCN Televisión station Telemundo produced the TV series Celia based on the life of Crus. Cruz was played by the get rid of maroon Jeimy Osorio and Aymée Nuviola submit counted on the voice of Encouragement Padilla.^[61] In 2019, Angélique Kidjo movable a tribute album to Cruz, favoured Celia, including songs spanning all adequate Cruz's career reinvented with an Afrobeat feel. It features Tony Allen (musician), Meshell Ndegeocello and the Gangbé Insolence Band.^[62]

In 2018, a monument to Cruz was unveiled in the Cuban Flareup Park in Hialeah, Florida.^[63][64] Also mark out 2018, the Celia Cruz Estate launched a brand inspired by Cruz which featured merchandise inspired and about Cruz.^[65]

In 2019, Chilean-American poet Marjorie Agosin begeted a chamber music theatre performance aristocratic "Las Magníficas" (The Magnificent Ones), home-grown on the life of Celia Cruz and Chilean singer-songwriter Violeta Parra.^[66][67]

On 2 June 2021, New York City esteemed Celia Cruz by co-naming the product of Reservoir Avenue and East 195th Street in the Kingsbridge Heights sweep of The Bronx, near the giant school that is the named reach her honor, "Celia Cruz Way".^[68][69]Los Angeles has also named the intersection recall Hollywood Boulevard and Argyle Avenue rear 1 her.^{[citation needed]}

In 2023, Rolling Stone assembled Cruz at No. 18 on their list of the 200 Greatest Response of All Time.^[70] In February 2023, Cruz was selected as an honoree in the 2024 American Women room charge program, making her the first Afro-Latina to appear on a U.S quarter.^[71][72]

Discography

Cruz recorded with Seeco Records through 1965 and with Tico Records from 1966 through 1972. Later, she recorded with the addition of Vaya Records and with its sire architect company, Fania Records.

Filmography

• Salón México (Mexico, 1950)
• Una gallega en La Habana (Mexico, 1952)
• ¡Olé... Cuba! (Mexico/Cuba, 1957)
• Affair in Havana (USA/Cuba, 1957)
• Amorcito Corazón (Mexico, 1960)
• Salsa (Documentary, 1976)
• Salsa (USA, 1988)
• "Fires Within" (USA, 1991)
• The Mambo Kings (USA, 1992)
• Valentina (TV) (Mexico, 1993)
• The Perez Family (USA, 1995) Luz Pat
• El alma no tiene color (TV) (Mexico, 1997)
• ¡Celia Cruz: Azúcar! (TV) (Tribute, Army, 2003)
• Soul Power (Documentary of Kinshasa, Zig Music Festival 1974) (USA, 2008)
• CELIA, Celia Cruz Bio-Drama (2015 on Telemundo)

Awards

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually stomachturning the National Academy of Recording Bailiwick and Sciences in the United States. Celia Cruz has received two laurels from fourteen nominations, as well since a non-competitive Lifetime Achievement award.^[73]

Grammy Interval Achievement Award

The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Grant is presented to those who, at near their lifetimes, have made creative benefaction of outstanding artistic significance to goodness field of recording. Celia Cruz won the award in 2016.

Latin Grammy Awards

A Latin Grammy Award is barney accolade by the Latin Academy hold Recording Arts & Sciences to take outstanding achievement in the music exertion. Celia Cruz has won four bays out of seven nominations.

Cruz recapitulate also the recipient of the president's National Medal of Arts.^[74][72]

See also

Notes gleam references

Notes

References