Celia Cruz

Celia Cruz in Paris, France, April 1980
Background information
Birth name Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso
Also known as La Reina de la Salsa, La Guarachera de Cuba
Born (1925-10-21)October 21, 1925
Havana, Cuba
Died July 16, 2003(2003-07-16) (aged 77)
Fort Lee, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres Salsa, bolero
Occupations Singer
Years active 1948–2003
Labels Fania Records, RMM Records & Video, Sony Discos
Associated acts Sonora Matancera, Fania All-Stars
Website Official website

Celia Cruz (October 21, 1925 – July 16, 2003) was a Cuban-American and was one of the most successful salsa performers of the 20th century, having earned twenty-three gold albums. She was renowned internationally as the "Queen of Salsa" as well as "La Guarachera de Cuba."[1]

She spent much of her career living in New Jersey, and working in the United States and several Latin American countries. Leila Cobo of Billboard Magazine once said "Cruz is indisputably the best known and most influential female figure in the history of Cuban music."

Contents

Early life [link]

Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso was born on October 21, 1925[2] in the diverse, working-class neighborhood of Santos Suárez in Havana, Cuba.[3] She was the second eldest of fourteen children[4] born to Catalina Alfonso and Simón Cruz. Simón Cruz worked in the railroads as a stoker, and his wife took care of the extended family.[citation needed]

While growing up in Cuba's diverse 1930s musical climate, Cruz listened to many musicians who influenced her adult career, including Fernando Collazo, Abelardo Barroso, Pablo Quevedo and Arsenio Rodríguez. Cruz also studied the words to Yoruba songs with colleague Mercedita Valdes (an Akpwon santeria singer) from Cuba and Celia made various recordings of this religious genre singing even back up for other female akpwons like Candita Batista.[5]

When she was a teenager, her aunt took her and her cousin to cabarets to sing, but her father encouraged her to keep attending school, in hopes that she would become a Spanish language teacher. However, one of her teachers told her that as an entertainer she could earn in one day what most Cuban teachers earned in a month. Cruz began singing in Havana's radio station Radio Garcia-Serra's popular "Hora del Té" daily broadcast, she sang the tango "Nostalgias" (and won a cake as first place) often winning cakes and also opportunities to participate in more contests. Her first recordings were made in 1948 in Venezuela.[citation needed]

Career [link]

File:Cruz and Ros-Lehtinen1992a.jpg
Dexter Lehtinen, Celia Cruz, Alonso R. del Portillo, Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, and Pedro Knight in May 1992

In 1950, Cruz made her first major breakthrough, after the lead singer of the Sonora Matancera, a renowned Cuban orchestra, left the group and Cruz was called to fill in. Cruz was hired permanently by the orchestra, but she wasn't well accepted by the public at first. However, the orchestra stood by their decision, and soon Cruz became famous throughout Cuba. During the 15 years she was a member, the band traveled all over Latin America, becoming known as "Café Con Leche" (coffee with milk). Cruz became known for her trademark shout "¡Azúcar!" ("Sugar!" in Spanish). The catch phrase started as the punch line for a joke Cruz used to tell frequently at her concerts. Once, she ordered cafe cubano (Cuban coffee) in a restaurant in Miami. The waiter asked her if she'd like sugar, and she replied that, since he was Cuban, he should know that you can't drink Cuban coffee without it! After having told the joke so many times, Cruz eventually dropped the joke and greeted her audience at the start of her appearances with the punch line alone. In her later years, she would use the punch line a few times, to later say: "No les digo más 'Azúcar', pa' que no les dé diabetes!" which means "I won't say 'Sugar' anymore so that you won't get diabetes".[citation needed]

With Fidel Castro assuming control of Cuba in 1959, Cruz and her husband, Pedro Knight, refused to return to their homeland and became citizens of the United States. In 1966, Cruz and Tito Puente began an association that would lead to eight albums for Tico Records. The albums were not as successful as expected. However, Puente and Cruz later joined the Vaya Records label. There, she joined accomplished pianist Larry Harlow and was soon headlining a concert at New York's Carnegie Hall.

Cruz's 1974 album with Johnny Pacheco, Celia y Johnny, was very successful, and Cruz soon found herself in a group named the Fania All-Stars, which was an ensemble of salsa musicians from every orchestra signed by the Fania label (owner of Vaya Records). With the Fania All-Stars, Cruz had the opportunity of visiting England, France, Zaire (Today's DR Congo), and to return to tour Latin America; her performance in Zaire is included in the film Soul Power.[6] In the late 1970s, she participated in an Eastern Air Lines commercial in Puerto Rico, singing the catchy phrase ¡Esto sí es volar! (This really is flying!).

Celia Cruz used to sing the identifying spot for WQBA radio station in Miami, formerly known as "La Cubanísima": "I am the voice of Cuba, from this land, far away,..., I am liberty, I am WQBA, the most Cuban! (Yo soy de Cuba, la voz, desde esta tierra lejana, ..., soy libertad, soy WQBA, Cubanísima!) During the 1980s, Cruz made many tours in Latin America and Europe, doing multiple concerts and television shows wherever she went, and singing both with younger stars and stars of her own era. She began a crossover of sorts, when she participated in the 1988 feature film Salsa, alongside Robby Draco Rosa.

In 1990, Cruz won a Grammy Award for Best Tropical Latin Performance - Ray Barretto & Celia Cruz - Ritmo en el Corazon. She later recorded an anniversary album with la Sonora Matancera. In 1992, she starred with Armand Assante and Antonio Banderas in the film The Mambo Kings. In 1994, President Bill Clinton awarded Cruz the National Medal of Arts. In 2001, she recorded a new album, on which Johnny Pacheco was one of the producers.

On July 16, 2002, Cruz performed to a full house at the free outdoor performing arts festival Central Park SummerStage in New York City. During the performance she sang, "Bemba Colora." A live recording of this song was subsequently made available in 2005 on a commemorative CD honoring the festival's then 20 year history entitled, "Central Park SummerStage: Live from the Heart of the City". Cruz appeared on the 2006 Dionne Warwick album My Friends & Me.

Death [link]

Celia Cruz's mausoleum in Woodlawn Cemetery, The Bronx, New York.

On July 16, 2003, Cruz died of brain cancer at her home in Fort Lee, New Jersey, at the age of 77. She was survived by her husband, Pedro Knight (died February 3, 2007). She had no children. After her death, her body was taken to lie in state in Miami's Freedom Tower, where more than 200,000 fans paid their final respects. Her body was returned to New Jersey where tens of thousands of fans paid tribute to her at the funeral home. A service was held for her in St. Patrick's Cathedral. She was interred in a private mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx. An epilogue in her autobiography notes that, in accordance with her wishes, Cuban soil which she had saved from a visit to Guantánamo Bay was used in her entombment.

Legacy [link]

Celia Cruz Plaza in Union City, New Jersey.

In February 2004, her last album, Regalo del Alma, won a posthumous award at the Premios Lo Nuestro for best Salsa release of the year. It was announced in December 2005 that a musical called "Assuca" would open in Tenerife before touring the world. The name comes from Cruz's well-known catch phrase of "¡Azúcar!"

On June 4, 2004, the heavily-Cuban-American community of Union City, New Jersey heralded its annual Cuban Day Parade by dedicating its new Celia Cruz Park (also known as Celia Cruz Plaza), which features a sidewalk star in her honor, at 31st Street and Bergenline Avenue, with Cruz's widower, Pedro Knight, present. There are four other similar dedications to Cruz around the world.[7] Cruz's star has expanded into Union City's "Walk of Fame",[8] as new marble stars are added each spring to honor Latin entertainment and media personalities, such as merengue singer Joseíto Mateo, salsa singer La India, Cuban musician Israel "Cachao" Lopez, Cuban tenor Beny Moré,[9] Tito Puente, Spanish language television news anchor Rafael Pineda, salsa pioneer Johnny Pacheco,[10] singer/bandleader Gilberto Santa Rosa and music promoter Ralph Mercado.[11]

On May 18, 2005, the National Museum of American History, administered by the Smithsonian Institution and located in Washington, D.C., opened "¡Azúcar!", an exhibit celebrating the life and music of Celia Cruz. The exhibit highlights important moments in Cruz's life and career through photographs, personal documents, costumes, videos, and music.

On September 26, 2007, through May 25, 2008, Celia, a musical based on the life of Celia Cruz, played at the off-Broadway venue, New World Stages. Some performances were in Spanish and some in English. The show won four 2008 HOLA awards from the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors.[12]

Discography [link]

  • 2003 Homenaje a Beny Moré
  • 2003 Celia & Johnny
  • 2003 Dios Disfrute a la Reina
  • 2003 Son Boleros, Boleros Son
  • 2003 Reina de la Música Cubana
  • 2003 Regalo del Alma
  • 2003 Más Grande Historia Jamás Cantada
  • 2003 Estrellas de la Sonora Matancera
  • 2003 Celia in the House: Classic Hits Remixed
  • 2003 Carnaval de la Vida
  • 2003 Candela Pura
  • 2002 Unrepeatable
  • 2002 Hits Mix
  • 2001 La Negra Tiene Tumbao
  • 2000 Siempre Viviré
  • 2000 Salsa
  • 2000 Habanera
  • 2000 Celia Cruz and Friends: A Night of Salsa
  • 1999 En Vivo Radio Progreso, Vol. 3
  • 1999 En Vivo Radio Progreso, Vol. 2
  • 1999 En Vivo Radio Progreso, Vol. 1
  • 1999 En Vivo C.M.Q., Vol. 5
  • 1999 En Vivo C.M.Q., Vol. 4
  • 1998 Mi Vida Es Cantar
  • 1998 Afro-Cubana
  • 1997 También Boleros
  • 1997 Duets
  • 1997 Cambiando Ritmos
  • 1996 Celia Cruz Delta
  • 1995 Irresistible
  • 1995 Festejando Navidad
  • 1995 Double Dynamite
  • 1995 Cuba's Queen of Rhythm
  • 1994 Merengue Saludos Amigos
  • 1994 Mambo del Amor
  • 1994 Irrepetible
  • 1994 Homenaje a Los Santos
  • 1994 Guaracheras de La Guaracha
  • 1993 Introducing
  • 1993 Homenaje a Beny Moré, Vol. 3
  • 1993 Boleros Polydor
  • 1993 Azucar Negra
  • 1992 Verdadera Historia
  • 1992 Tributo a Ismael Rivera
  • 1991 Reina del Ritmo Cubano
  • 1991 Canta Celia Cruz
  • 1990 Guarachera del Mundo
  • 1988 Ritmo en el Corazón
  • 1987 Winners
  • 1986 De Nuevo
  • 1986 Candela
  • 1983 Tremendo Trío
  • 1982 Feliz Encuentro
  • 1981 Celia & Willie
  • 1980 Celia/Johnny/Pete
  • 1977 Only They Could Have Made This Album
  • 1976 Recordando El Ayer
  • 1975 Tremendo Caché
  • 1974 Celia & Johnny
  • 1971 Celia Y Tito Puente en España
  • 1970 Etc. Etc. Etc.
  • 1969 Quimbo Quimbumbia
  • 1968 Serenata Guajira
  • 1968 Excitante
  • 1967 A Ti México
  • 1967 Bravo Celia Cruz
  • 1966 Son con Guaguancó
  • 1966 Cuba Y Puerto Rico Son
  • 1965 Sabor y Ritmo de Pueblos
  • 1965 Canciones Premiadas
  • 1959 Mi Diario Musical
  • 1958 Incomparable Celia

Grammy awards [link]

Year Nominated work Award Result
1989 "Ritmo En El Corazon" Best Tropical Latin Performance Won
2000 Celia Cruz and Friends: A Night of Salsa Best Salsa Performance Won
2001 "Siempre Viviré" Best Tropical Traditional Album Won
2002 La Negra Tiene Tumbao Best Salsa Album Won
2003 La Negra Tiene Tumbao Best Salsa Album Won
2003 Regalo del Alma Best Salsa/Merengue Album Won
2004 Regalo del Alma Best Salsa Album Won

References [link]

  1. ^ "Celia Cruz's Shoes". National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. https://historywired.si.edu/object.cfm?ID=90. Retrieved 2008-06-09. 
  2. ^ Some sources indicate she was born in 1924, but her gravestone clearly states 1925.
  3. ^ "Her Life". National Museum of American History. Accessed July 17, 2011.
  4. ^ Cobo, Leila. "Cuban Salsa Sensation Celia Cruz Dies At 77" All Business; July 26, 2003
  5. ^ "¡Azúcar! The Life and Music of Celia Cruz". Smithsonian Institution. https://americanhistory.si.edu/celiacruz/main.asp?lang=fZc5353163882aLnQ. Retrieved 2007-11-04. 
  6. ^ Scott, O.A. (2009-07-10). "Music and Musicians Still Echo 35 Years Later". New York Times. https://movies.nytimes.com/2009/07/10/movies/10soul.html. 
  7. ^ Homage to Celia Cruz: UC to pay tribute to Queen of Salsa with events, park dedication, Union City Reporter, May 30, 2004
  8. ^ Lucio Fernandez and Gerard Karabin. Union City in Pictures; 2010; Page 74
  9. ^ Rosero, Jessica. "Viva la comunidad Cubano North Hudson celebrates at the annual Cuban Day Parade" Hudson Reporter June 18, 2006
  10. ^ Rosero, Jessica. "'La vida es un carnaval' North Hudson celebrates 6th annual Cuban Day Parade"; Hudson Reporter; May 26, 2006
  11. ^ Staab, Amanda. "UC first stop for Latin Grammies" The Union City Reporter; October 5, 2008; Pages 1 & 21
  12. ^ Celia at Lortel Archives; accessed August 24, 2010

External links [link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Celia Cruz

https://wn.com/Celia_Cruz

Podcasts:

Celia Cruz

ALBUMS

La Reina de La Salsa

Released 2011

Café con leche

Released 2011

La reina y sus amigos

Released 2009

Cubana

Released 2009

Historia De La Salsa

Released 2009

Greatest Hits

Released 2008

[untitled]

Released 2007

The Rough Guide to Celia Cruz

Released 2005

Lo Mejor Volumen 1

Released 2004

The Original Cuban All Stars

Released 2004

A Proper Introduction to Celia Cruz: Havana Days

Released 2004

Salsa divas

Released 2004

Resumen Musical

Released 2004

Dios disfrute a la reina

Released 2004

Boleros eternos

Released 2003

Exitos Eternos

Released 2003

Regalo del alma

Released 2003

La Negra Tiene Tumbao

Released 2002

The Best of Celia Cruz

Released 2001

Cocktail Hour

Released 2001

La Música Latina: Grandes Mitos Del Siglo XX, Volume 1: El Pais

Released 2000

Siempre viviré

Released 2000

Mi vida es cantar

Released 1998

Fania All Stars with Celia Cruz

Released 1998

The Best of Celia Cruz

Released 1997

Madre Rumba

Released 1995

Double Dynamite

Released 1995

Vamos a guarachar

Released 1994

Azucar negra

Released 1993

Celia Cruz con la Sonora Matancera

Released 1992

Mambo del amor

Released 1992

Tributo a Ismael Rivera

Released 1992

La tierna, conmovedora, bamboleadora

Released 1991

La Incomparable Celia

Released 1990

Canciones premiadas

Released 1989

Celia & Johnny

Released 1988

Introducing... Celia Cruz

Released 1988

The Winners

Released 1987

De Nuevo

Released 1985

Homenaje a Beny More, Volume 3

Released 1985

Celia y Willie

Released 1981

Celia, Johnny and Pete

Released 1980

La Ceiba

Released 1979

Eternos

Released 1978

The 'brillante' Best of Celia Cruz

Released 1978

Only They Could Have Made This Album

Released 1977

Recordando el ayer

Released 1976

Tremendo caché

Released 1975

Cuba Y Puerto Rico Son...

Released 1965

Exitos Eternos

Cuba's Queen of Song (1950-1965)

La Reine des Rythmes Tropicaux

Tributo a Los Orishas

El Merengue

On Fire: The Essential

Celia's Duets

Grande Exitos

La Sonora Matancera

Nostalgia Tropical

Quimbo Quimbumba

Irrepetible

Mi Diario Musical

The Very Best of Tito Puente and Celia Cruz

The Mambo King Meets the Queen of Salsa

Queen of Cuban rhythm

El Carnaval De La Vida

La Dinamica!

Irresistible

Mis mejores boleros

La Reina del Ritmo Cubano

Tremendo trío!

The Best

Hits Mix

Celia Cruz & Friends - A Night of Salsa

Azucar en el cielo

Tesoros Musicales

Historia musical de Celia Cruz con La Sonora Matancera

Son con Guaguanco / La excitante

A Su Memoria

Ritmo en el corazón

Tributo a Ismael Rivera

La Negra Tiene Tumbao

Azucar Negra

Absolute Best: Salsa

Carnaval de éxitos

Born: 1925-10-21

Died: 2003-07-16

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PLAYLIST TIME:

Tararea Kumbayea

by: Celia Cruz

(Kumbayea, yea, kumbayea)
(este es un ritmo que cualquiera se menea)
(Kumbayea, yea, kumbayea)
(este es un coro que cualquiera tararea)
Si tú ves una pareja bailando
y ninguno de los dos se menea
tú le dices pongan atención
para que gocen mi ritmo kumbayea
(Kumbayea, yea, kumbayea)
(este es un ritmo que cualquiera se menea)
(Kumbayea, yea, kumbayea)
(este es un coro que cualquiera tararea)
En una fiesta que estaba yo cantando
hubo un concurso de ritmo kumbayea
qué alegría me dio cuando el premio
se lo ganó mi amiguita Dorotea
(Kumbayea, yea, kumbayea)
(este es un ritmo que cualquiera se menea)
(Kumbayea, yea, kumbayea)
(este es un coro que cualquiera tararea)
A mí me gusta cuando me presento
cantar un tema que pida mi gente
fue sensación mi sabroso carnaval
y ahora te traigo un ritito diferente
(Kumbayea, yea, kumbayea)
(este es un coro que cualquiera tararea)
como hay tanta gente tú puedes cantar
y aunque desafines no se va a notar
(Kumbayea, yea, kumbayea)
(este es un coro que cualquiera tararea)
lo mismo lo canta el de cara bonita
como puede cantarlo el de cara feita
(Kumbayea, yea, kumbayea)
(este es un coro que cualquiera tararea)
a mí sí me gusta brindarle a mi gente
cuando me presento algo diferente
(Kumbayea, yea, kumbayea)
(este es un coro que cualquiera tararea)
ay, qué lindo tararean,
con mi ritmo se menean
(Kumbayea, yea, kumbayea)
este tema tan sabroso
(Kumbayea, yea, kumbayea)
tiene un algo sin igual
(Kumbayea, yea, kumbayea)
no sólo se tararea
(Kumbayea, kumbayea, kumbayea)
también se puede bailar
(Kumbayea, yea, kumbayea)
pongan los brazos arriba
(Kumbayea, yea, kumbayea)
y bailen el kumbayea
(Kumbayea, yea, kumbayea)
mira, mira, mira, mira como está gozando
(Kumbayea, yea, kumbayea)
ay, mi vecina Dorotea
(Kumbayea, yea, kumbayea)
kumbayea, kumbayea
(Kumbayea, yea, kumbayea)




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