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Celia Cruz

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Celia Cruz · Celia Caridad Cruz Alfonso (1925 to 2003) was a Cuban-American singer and one of the most popular Latin artists of the twentieth century. In the 1950s she became famous in Cuba as a singer of guarachas, which earned her the nickname La Guarachera de Cuba. For fifteen years, from 1950 to 1965, she was the singer of the group Sonora Matancera. She mastered many Afro-Cuban styles, such as guaracha, rumba, son and bolero, and recorded many singles in those styles for Seeco Records.

Music and breakthrough

In 1960 she left Cuba after the Cuban Revolution had nationalised the music industry. She became a symbol and spokeswoman of the Cuban community in exile, working first in Mexico and then in the United States. In the 1960s she recorded Bemba colorá with Tito Puente, her signature song. In the 1970s she signed with Fania Records, became closely associated with salsa and had hits such as Quimbara. She often performed with the Fania All-Stars and collaborated with Johnny Pacheco and Willie Colón. La vida es un carnaval and La negra tiene tumbao followed later, as well as a Guantanamera with Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill. She made 37 studio albums and won two Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards.

Influence

Cruz became known as the Queen of Salsa. Her cry Azúcar! is one of the most recognisable shouts in Latin music, and her powerful, warm voice carries the rhythms of Caribbean dance music.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to La vida es un carnaval and notice her voice and the reply of the chorus. Hear how singing and percussion alternate and how the call and response drive the song forward.

Discography

Studio albums

Mentioned in other articles

See also

Categories: ArtistsSalsa