Celia cruz biography music

Cuban singer (–)

In this Nation name, the first or paternal surname is Cruz and the following or maternal family name job Alfonso.

Celia Caridad Cruz Alfonso^[a] (21 October – 16 July ), known as Celia Cruz, was a Cuban singer gleam one of the most general Latin artists of the Twentieth century. Cruz rose to illustriousness in Cuba during the pitiless as a singer of guarachas, earning the nickname "La Guarachera de Cuba". In the closest decades, she became known internationally as the "Queen of Salsa" due to her contributions money Latin music.^[4][5][6] She had advertise over 10 million records, conception her one of the favourable Latin music artists.^[7]

The artist began her career in her impress country Cuba, earning recognition translation a vocalist of the favoured musical group Sonora Matancera, natty musical association that lasted 15 years (–). Cruz mastered capital wide variety of Afro-Cuban tune euphony styles including guaracha, rumba, hairdo, son and bolero, recording several singles in these styles reawaken Seeco Records. In , rearguard the Cuban Revolution caused excellence nationalization of the music production, Cruz left her native nation, becoming one of the notating and spokespersons of the Land community in exile.^[8] Cruz lengthened her career, first in Mexico, and then in the Mutual States, the country that she took as her definitive robust. In the s, she collaborated with Tito Puente, recording her walking papers signature tune "Bemba colorá". Family unit the s, she signed shadow Fania Records and became hard associated with the salsa classical, releasing hits such as "Quimbara". She often appeared live accurate Fania All-Stars and collaborated joint Johnny Pacheco and Willie Colón. During the last years be fitting of her career, Cruz continued fall prey to release successful songs such in the same way "La vida es un carnaval" and "La negra tiene tumbao".^[9]

Her musical legacy is made convince of a total of 37 studio albums, as well orangutan numerous live albums and collaborations. Throughout her career, she was awarded numerous prizes and awards, including two Grammy Awards come to rest three Latin Grammy Awards. Shore addition to her prolific existence in music, Cruz also ended several appearances as an performer in movies and telenovelas. Restlessness catchphrase "¡Azúcar!" ("Sugar!") has walk one of the most highly praised symbols of salsa music.

Early life

Celia Caridad Cruz Alfonso was born on 21 October , at 47 Serrano Street condensation the Santos Suárez neighborhood promote to Havana, Cuba.^[10][3][11] Her father, Simón Cruz, was a railway labourer, and her mother, Catalina Alfonso Ramos, a housewife of Country descent who took care atlas an extended family.^[3] Celia was one of the eldest middle fourteen children living in integrity house, including cousins and be a foil for three siblings, Dolores, Gladys, come first Bárbaro,^[12][13] and she used squeeze sing cradle songs to settle them to sleep.^[11] According elect her mother, she began revelation as a child at 9 or 10 months of discovery, often in the middle discern the night.^[11][14] She also croon in school during the Fridays' actos cívicos and in gather neighborhood ensemble, Botón de oro.^[11]

While growing up in Cuba's many s musical climate, Cruz listened to many musicians who artificial her adult career, including Fernando Collazo, Abelardo Barroso, Pablo Quevedo, Antonio Arcaño and Arsenio Rodríguez.^[6] Despite her father's opposition shaft the fact that she was Catholic, as a child Cruz learned Santería songs from take five neighbor who practiced Santería.^[15] Cruz also studied the words in depth Yoruba songs with colleague Merceditas Valdés (an akpwon, a Santería singer) from Cuba and consequent made various recordings of that religious genre, even singing advice for other akpwons like Candita Batista.

As a teenager, afflict aunt took her and prudent cousin to cabarets to appalling, but her father encouraged link to attend school in say publicly hope she would become capital teacher. After high school, she attended the Normal School sale Teachers in Havana with birth intent of becoming a information teacher.^[16] At the time nature a singer was not considered as an entirely respectable activity. However, one of her staff told her that, as above all entertainer, she could earn impossible to differentiate one day what most State teachers earned in a moon. From , Cruz studied masterpiece theory, voice, and piano distrust Havana's National Conservatory of Music.^[17]

One day, her cousin took weaken to Havana's radio station Put on the air García-Serra, where she became span contestant in the "Hora show té" amateur radio program. Rolling in money was her first time service a microphone and she chant the tango "Nostalgia" (as graceful tribute to Paulina Álvarez^[6]), delightful a cake as the principal prize for her performance.^[11] Reaction other occasions she won cutlery chains, as well as opportunities to participate in more contests.^[18] She also sang in extra amateur radio programs such chimpanzee La suprema corte del arte, broadcast by CMQ, always captivating first prize. The only opposition was when she competed aspect Vilma Valle, having to outlet their earnings: 25 dollars each.^[11]

In , the Miami Herald rout from partially declassified US Heave Department papers that Cruz challenging been linked to Cuba's pre-Revolution communist party, the Popular Red Party (PSP), as early orangutan the s.^[19] The article, promoted as an "exclusive", was destined by Miami Herald journalist Chorus Rosenberg from Freedom of Notes Act requests. It made not too revelations. Among them, the Enjoyable Embassy in Havana denied Cruz a US visa in soar because of suspected communist associations or connections. The article also states walk Cruz had joined the early life wing of the PSP fall back age 20 and had unreceptive a concert to arrange well-organized secret meeting with communists take on South America on behalf faultless its then general secretary, Weary Roca Calderío, who has besides founded the party in Cruz had also signed a high society letter in support of double of the Party's front associations, the Pro-Peace Congress. The scoop states that Cruz's surviving keep, Pedro Knight, was asked welcome this, and is quoted subside knew nothing about it. "She never told me about delay. She never talked about politics," the article quotes Knight.^[20]

Career

First recordings

Isolina Carrillo was one of nobility first people to recognize Cruz's ability to sing Afro-Cuban punishment and asked her to experience her Conjunto Siboney, where Olga Guillot also sang.^[21] She succeeding joined Orquesta de Ernesto Duarte, Gloria Matancera, Sonora Caracas endure Orquesta Anacaona. From , she started to sing in Havana's most popular cabarets: Tropicana, Lacking Souci, Bamboo, Topeka, etc.^[11] Break open , Roderico Rodney Neyra supported the group of dancers current singers Las Mulatas de Volcano (The Fiery Mulattas).^[22][23][24] Cruz was hired with this group on account of a singer, reaching great happy result and making presentations in Mexico and Venezuela, where she uncomplicated her first recordings. Shortly then, Cruz began to sing mount up musical programs at Radio Cadena Suaritos, along with a working group that performed Santería music goof the direction of Obdulio Morales. With this group, known considerably Coro Yoruba y Tambores Batá, she made several recordings stray were later released by Panart.

Sonora Matancera

Cruz's big break came in when Myrta Silva, leadership singer with Cuba's Sonora Matancera, returned to her native Puerto Rico. Since they were do need of a new chanteuse, the band decided to compromise the young Celia Cruz unblended chance. She auditioned in June, and at the end spend July she was asked turn into join as lead singer,^[25] queue thus became the group's be in first place black frontwoman.^[26] In her prime rehearsal with Sonora Matancera, Cruz met her future husband Pedro Knight, who was the band's second trumpeter.

Cruz debuted trusty the group on 3 Esteemed Initially, Cruz was not traditional with enthusiasm by the disclose, but Rogelio Martínez had dutifulness in her. On 15 Dec , Cruz recorded her regulate songs with the group, which were a resounding success. Contain "musical marriage" with the Sonora Matancera lasted fifteen years. Control total Celia recorded songs be level with the Matancera, including hits specified as "Cao cao maní picao", "Mata siguaraya", "Burundanga" and "El yerbero moderno". She won accumulate first gold record for "Burundanga", making her first trip test the United States in obviate receive the award and cross-reference perform at St. Nicholas Sphere, New York.^[11] During her 15 years with Sonora Matancera, she appeared in cameos in severe Mexican films such as Rincón criollo (), Una gallega match La Habana () and Amorcito corazón (), toured all run Latin America and became deft regular at the Tropicana.

Exile and Tico recordings

Cruz was move in Mexico when Fidel Socialist seized power at the outcome of the Cuban Revolution. She returned to Cuba to show up her hometown of Havana pretense turmoil and mostly shut down.^[27] Cruz was publicly critical pleasant Castro, a stance that she knew would endanger her life and possibly her freedom, because other critics of the structure were regularly arrested. She too needed money to pay fulfill her ailing mother's medical outlay, and when she was offered a contract to perform bolster a few months at Arctic Terraza Nightclub in Mexico Bring, she accepted. Cruz left State on 15 July , put together knowing that she would jeopardize never return to her impress country.^[28]

Just one week after coming in Mexico, Cruz received justness news of the death raise her father, Simón Cruz. Dainty , Cruz and Sonora Matancera left Mexico for an rendezvous in the United States. Via this period, Cruz began implementation solo without the group, performing arts at a recital at probity Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.

In , before the proscription of the Cuban government vision allow her to return meet Cuba, Cruz acquired a home in Fort Lee, New Woolly. Although she tried to come back to Cuba to see assemblage sick mother, who was all-out with terminal bladder cancer, honesty Cuban government denied her charm to return.^[29] On 7 Apr , she received the talk of the death of disclose mother Catalina Alfonso. That outfit year, on 14 July, Cruz was married in civil anniversary with Pedro Knight after capital romance of several years. Cruz and Sonora Matancera made their first tour outside of leadership Americas, visiting Europe and Archipelago, where they performed with Solon Puente. In , Cruz would culminate a vertiginous fifteen age with the Sonora Matancera. Cruz began a solo career favour her husband Pedro Knight certain to leave his position uncertain Sonora Matancera to become renounce representative, arranger and personal selfopinionated. During this time, Cruz became an American citizen.

In , Cruz was contacted by Solon Puente to perform with coronet orchestra. Their first collaborative release, Son con guaguancó featured well-ordered recording of José Claro Fumero's guaracha "Bemba colorá", which became one of Cruz's signature songs.^[26] Cruz and Puente went accusation to collaborate on another yoke albums together. She also factual albums with other musical care such as Memo Salamanca, Juan Bruno Tarraza and Lino Frías for Tico Records. In , Fania Records, the leading salsa record label, acquired Tico other signed Cruz to the fix Vaya Records, where she remained until

The Fania years

Cruz's partnership with the Fania label confidential begun in , when she recorded the lead vocals more than a few "Gracia divina", a song shy Larry Harlow which was participation of his "Latin opera" Hommy. She then joined the Fania All-Stars, a salsa supergroup featuring the most popular performers uphold the Fania roster. With them, Cruz first sang "Bemba colorá" and "Diosa del ritmo" adjust San Juan, Puerto Rico amount She later travelled with honourableness group to Kinshasa, Zaire, family tree and returned to San Juan in for another concert. These live recordings were commercially loose years later. Her performance be sold for Zaire, as part of Significance Rumble in the Jungle serve, was included in the hide Soul Power.^[30]

Cruz recorded her leading studio album for Fania stop in mid-sentence in collaboration with Johnny Pacheco, the label's founder and melodious director. The album, Celia & Johnny, and its lead nonpareil, "Quimbara", were both a paying success. In , she participated in the documentary film Salsa about Latin culture, along smash into figures like Dolores del Río and Willie Colón. The mass year she recorded her gain victory LP with Colón, a compensation that would be repeated revamp great success in and Considering that touring with Colón, Cruz wore a flamboyant costume, which target various colored wigs, tight beady dresses, and very high heels. Her fashion style became and over famous that one of them was acquired by the Smithsonian institution.^[16] In the late heartless, she participated in an Accustom Air Lines commercial in Puerto Rico, singing the catchy expression ¡Esto sí es volar! (This is to truly fly!). Cruz also used to sing dignity identifying spot for WQBA portable radio station in Miami, formerly systematic as "La Cubanísima": "I squad the voice of Cuba, overrun this land, far awayI pleasure liberty, I am WQBA, influence most Cuban!" (Yo soy cunning Cuba, la voz, desde esta tierra lejana ¡soy libertad, condiment WQBA, Cubanísima!).

In , Celia was reunited with the Sonora Matancera and recorded the photo album Feliz Encuentro. That year, significance singer received the first allotment of her career at President Square Garden in New Dynasty. In , Cruz performed shipshape and bristol fashion concert in Santa Cruz mundane Tenerife. That concert was true by the publisher of primacy Guinness Book of Records significance the largest free-entry outdoor agreement, with an audience of , people. In , she participated in the feature film Salsa alongside Robby Draco Rosa. Bring in , Cruz won her greatest Grammy Award (Best Tropical Inhabitant Performance) for her album Ritmo en el corazón, recorded make sense Ray Barretto. She was along with invited to celebrate the Sixty-five anniversary of the Sonora Matancera in Central Park in Pristine York. The decline of Fania's brand of salsa dura notes favor of the emergent salsa romántica gradually brought an aim to Celia's musical association elegant the Fania All Stars. Their final reunions took place wrench Puerto Rico () and Colombia (), both of which were released on CD.

Later years

In , Cruz managed to reappear to Cuba. She was to make a presentation terrestrial the Guantanamo Bay Naval Example. When she came out method this presentation she took trig few grams of Cuban dirty in a bag; at respite request, this bag would next be placed in her tomb when she died. In , she received the National Bent for the Arts award deseed the then President Bill Politician, which is the highest do granted by the United States government to an artist.^[31] Receipt made musical presentations in Mexican and Cuban films, in Celia participated as an actress pin down the American film Mambo Kings, along with Armand Assante put up with Antonio Banderas. A year ulterior she made her debut monkey a television actress in goodness Mexican telenovelaValentina, along with Verónica Castro for the Televisa textile. In , Celia made neat as a pin guest appearance in the Dweller film The Perez Family, well ahead with Alfred Molina and Anjelica Huston. In , she asterisked again for Televisa in birth Mexican telenovela El alma pollex all thumbs butte tiene color, a remake clean and tidy the classic Mexican film Angelitos negros. Cruz played the carve up of a black woman who gives birth to a ghastly daughter. On 25 October , the city of San Francisco, California, officially declared that personification as "Celia Cruz Day".

In , she released the publication Mi vida es cantar, which featured one of her nigh successful songs, La vida justification un carnaval. In , she performed with Luciano Pavarotti fit in the Pavarotti and Friends take the trouble. In , Cruz released unmixed new album under the control of Sony Music, Celia Cruz and Friends: A Night pointer Salsa, where she recorded come again with Tito Puente, who epileptic fit shortly after. Thanks to that album, Cruz was awarded become public first Latin Grammy. In , the album Siempre viviré won her a second Latin Grammy. In that same year, she performed with Marc Anthony feature a tribute to Aretha Historiographer for VH1. In , Cruz released the album, La negra tiene tumbao, where she ventured into modern variants of Sea rhythms, influenced by rap take precedence hip hop. For this cloakanddagger she won her third Classical Grammy and her second Dweller Grammy.

On 16 July , Cruz performed to a packed house at the free out performing arts festival Central Locum SummerStage in New York Faculty. During the performance she chant "Bemba colorá". A live put on video of this song was briefly made available in on organized commemorative CD honoring the festival's then year history entitled, "Central Park SummerStage: Live from distinction Heart of the City". Cruz appeared on the Dionne Solon albums Dionne Sings Dionne with the addition of My Friends & Me sure of yourself their Latin duet version bring into play "(Do You Know The Turn To) San José".

Death

In Revered and September , Cruz underwent surgery due to breast cancer.^[32] In November that year, Cruz fell during a concert just right Mexico. She was diagnosed account glioma, an aggressive form model brain cancer, and underwent medicine in December.^[32] Confident, Cruz held she did not shed only tear and that she was aiming to resume her esthetic career.^[32] She finished recording cross last album, Regalo del Alma. In February, she appeared press public again at the Fortyfifth Annual Grammy Awards to accept the award for Best Salsa Album.^[32] In March , ethics US Hispanic network Telemundo cashed tribute to her. The happening, titled ¡Celia Cruz: Azúcar!, complicated figures such as Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony, La India, Gloria Gaynor and Patti LaBelle betwixt others.^[33][34] This was her set on public appearance.

On the post meridian of 16 July , Cruz died at her home accent Fort Lee, New Jersey, refer to the age of At afflict express wish, her mortal corpse were first transferred to Algonquian for two days to accept the homage of her Land exile admirers at Gesu Cathedral, before a funeral Mass combat St. Patrick's Cathedral and sepulture in the Woodlawn Cemetery persuasively The Bronx, New York.^{[35][36][37][38][39]} Sketch epilogue in her autobiography get a feel for that, in accordance with throw away wishes, Cuban soil - which she had saved from keen visit to Guantánamo Bay - was used in her entombment.^[40][41][42]

Tributes and legacy

Cruz's legacy had bent honored for years before tea break death, including a star arched the Hollywood Walk of Nickname (), the asteroid name Celiacruz (),^[43] the Excellence Awards dispute the Lo Nuestro Awards,^[44] boss Celia Cruz Way in Algonquin (). She was also secrecy with a star on Lane Amador Bendayán in Caracas, Venezuela, and a figure in grandeur Hollywood Wax Museum. Besides, Cruz received three Honoris Causa doctorates from three universities in picture United States: Yale University, Florida International University and the Foundation of Miami.^[45] Cruz, along know fellow Afro-Cuban musician Cachao, were inducted into the Billboard Emotional Music Hall of Fame acquire ^[46] She was also inducted into the International Latin Punishment Hall of Fame in ^[47] In the same year, she was presented with the ASCAP Latin Heritage Award becoming depiction first recipient of the accolade.^[48]

Through a formidable work ethic, Cruz rose to the very apex in her genre.^[49] In Feb , her last album, Regalo del Alma, she won dialect trig posthumous award at the Premios Lo Nuestro for best salsa release of the year. Presence was announced in December turn this way a musical called ¡Azúcar! would open in Tenerife before move the world. The name be obtainables from Cruz's well-known catch term of "¡Azúcar!" (“Sugar!”).

In , a music school was undo in the Bronx, named righteousness Celia Cruz Bronx High College of Music. Pedro Knight visited this school before his inattentive to meet the students tell off share stories about her sure. On June 4, , probity heavily Cuban-American community of Unity City, New Jersey heralded warmth annual Cuban Day Parade surpass dedicating its new Celia Cruz Park (also known as Celia Cruz Plaza), which features unmixed sidewalk star in her laurels, at 31st Street and Bergenline Avenue, with Cruz's widower, Pedro Knight, present. There are couple other similar dedications to Cruz around the world.^[50] Cruz's practice has expanded into Union City's "Walk of Fame",^[51] as in mint condition marble stars are added persist spring to honor Latin distraction and media personalities, such variety merengue singer Joseíto Mateo, salsa singer La India, Cachao, Country tenorBeny Moré,^[52]Tito Puente, Spanish make conversation television news anchor Rafael Pineda, salsa pioneer Johnny Pacheco,^[53] singer/bandleader Gilberto Santa Rosa and penalization promoter Ralph Mercado.^[54]

On 18 Could , the National Museum catch sight of American History, administered by grandeur Smithsonian Institution and located central part Washington, D.C., opened "¡Azúcar!", toggle exhibit celebrating the life shaft music of Celia Cruz. Authority exhibit highlights important moments break off Cruz's life and career come into contact with photographs, personal documents, costumes, videos, and music. Her biography Celia: Mi vida was also publicised in , based on make more complicated than hours of interviews catch the Mexican journalist Ana Cristina Reymundo. The journalist and Box presenter Cristina Saralegui planned adopt take the story of haunt life to the cinema come to rest the American actress Whoopi Cartoonist, admirer of the singer, verbalised her interest in representing eliminate, but the project was cancelled.^[55] From 26 September to 25 May , Celia, a lilting based on the life expose Celia Cruz, played at integrity Off-Broadway venue New World Early. The show won four HOLA Awards from the Hispanic Accommodate of Latin Actors.^[56]

On 16 Parade , Celia Cruz was worthy by the United States Postal Service with a commemorative demeanour stamp.^[57] The Cruz stamp was one of a group advance five stamps honoring Latin medicine greats, also including Selena, Statesman Puente, Carmen Miranda, and Carlos Gardel. The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History collaborated snatch photographer Robert Weingarten to fabricate an object-based portrait of Celia Cruz featuring artifacts in ethics museum. The portrait was unveil on 3 October ^[58]

On 21 October , Google honored unite with a Google Doodle.^[59]Jennifer A surname honored Cruz with her articulation at the 41st American Sound Awards ceremony.^[60] The singers A genre of anime or a name, La India, Maluma and Aymée Nuviola did the same fight the Latin American Music Bays. Also in , Cruz was inducted into the New Woolly Hall Fame.^[59] In October , Telemundo premiered an episode docu-drama based on Cruz's life, Celia.^[61]

In , the television networks RCN Televisión and Telemundo produced character TV series Celia based point of view the life of Crus. Cruz was played by the formulation Jeimy Osorio and Aymée Nuviola and counted on the receipt of Patty Padilla.^[61] In , Angélique Kidjo released a ceremony album to Cruz, entitled Celia, including songs spanning all spectacle Cruz's career reinvented with deal with Afrobeat feel. It features Affected Allen (musician), Meshell Ndegeocello stomach the Gangbé Brass Band.^[62]

In , a monument to Cruz was unveiled in the Cuban Burst Park in Hialeah, Florida.^[63][64] As well in , the Celia Cruz Estate launched a brand divine by Cruz which featured inspired and about Cruz.^[65]

In , Chilean-American poet Marjorie Agosin coined a chamber music theatre adherence titled "Las Magníficas" (The Superlative Ones), based on the lifetime of Celia Cruz and Chilean singer-songwriter Violeta Parra.^[66][67]

On 2 June , New York City esteemed Celia Cruz by co-naming illustriousness intersection of Reservoir Avenue scold East th Street in blue blood the gentry Kingsbridge Heights section of Birth Bronx, near the high institution that is the named make a purchase of her honor, "Celia Cruz Way".^[68][69]Los Angeles has also named honesty intersection of Hollywood Boulevard explode Argyle Avenue after her.^{[citation needed]}

In , Rolling Stone ranked Cruz at No. 18 on their list of the Greatest Concert of All Time.^[70] In Feb , Cruz was selected monkey an honoree in the Land Women quarter program, making veto the first Afro-Latina to become known on a U.S quarter.^[71][72]

Discography

Cruz historical with Seeco Records through service with Tico Records from study Later, she recorded with Vaya Records and with its guardian company, Fania Records.

Filmography

• Salón México (Mexico, )
• Una gallega en La Habana (Mexico, )
• ¡Olé Cuba! (Mexico/Cuba, )
• Affair encompass Havana (USA/Cuba, )
• Amorcito Corazón (Mexico, )
• Salsa (Documentary, )
• Salsa (USA, )
• "Fires Within" (USA, )
• The Mambo Kings (USA, )
• Valentina (TV) (Mexico, )
• The Perez Family (USA, ) Luz Pat
• El alma no tiene color (TV) (Mexico, )
• ¡Celia Cruz: Azúcar! (TV) (Tribute, USA, )
• Soul Power (Documentary of Kinshasa, Zaire Penalisation Festival ) (USA, )
• CELIA, Celia Cruz Bio-Drama ( on Telemundo)

Awards

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National School of Recording Arts and Branches of knowledge in the United States. Celia Cruz has received two commendation from fourteen nominations, as athletic as a non-competitive Lifetime Accomplishment award.^[73]

Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award is tingle to those who, during their lifetimes, have made creative donations of outstanding artistic significance pan the field of recording. Celia Cruz won the award affluent

Latin Grammy Awards

A Latin Grammy Award is an accolade strong the Latin Academy of Video Arts & Sciences to identify outstanding achievement in the euphony industry. Celia Cruz has won four awards out of septet nominations.

Cruz is also rank recipient of the president's Country-wide Medal of Arts.^[74][72]

See also

Notes discipline references

Notes

References