Celia Cruz

Celia Cruz
Background information
Birth name Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso
Also known as La Reina de la Salsa, La Guarachera de Cuba, La Reina de la Música Latina
Born October 21, 1925
Havana, Cuba
Died July 16, 2003 (aged 77)
Fort Lee, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres Son (music), Bolero, Cha-cha-cha, Guaracha
Occupation(s) Singer, Actress
Years active 1948–2003
Labels Fania Records, RMM Records & Video, Sony Discos
Associated acts Sonora Matancera, Fania All-Stars

Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso also known by her stage name Celia Cruz (October 21, 1925 – July 16, 2003) was a Cuban-American salsa singer/performer. One of the most popular salsa artists of the 20th century, she earned twenty-three gold albums and was a recipient of the National Medal of Arts. She was renowned internationally as the "Queen of Salsa", "La Guarachera de Cuba", as well as The Queen of Latin Music.[1][2]

She spent much of her career 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".

She was part of the Ifá religion.

Early life

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, the second of four children. Her father, Simon Cruz, was a railroad stoker and her mother, Catalina Alfonso was a homemaker who took care of an extended family of fourteen.[2][3]

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. Despite her mother's opposition and the fact that she was Catholic, as a child Cruz learned santería songs from her neighbor who practiced santería.[4] Cruz also later studied the words to Yoruba songs with colleague Mercedita Valdes (an Akpwon santería singer) from Cuba and made various recordings of this religious genre, even singing back up for other female akpwons like Candita Batista.[5]

As a teenager, her aunt took her and her cousin to cabarets to sing, but her father encouraged her to attend school in the hope she would become a 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, where she sang the tango "Nostalgias" and won a cake as first place. She often won cakes and also opportunities to participate in more contests.[6] Her first recordings were made in 1948 in Venezuela.

Career


With Sonora Matancera, she appeared in cameos in some Mexican films such as Salon México (1950) and Una gallega en La Habana (1952).

When Fidel Castro assumed 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 to visit 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.[7] In the late 1970s, she participated in an Eastern Air Lines commercial in Puerto Rico, singing the catchy phrase ¡Esto sí es volar! (It's really flying!).

In 1976, she participated in a documentary film Salsa about the Latin culture, along with figures like Dolores del Río and Willie Colon.

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 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 the same year, she was inducted into Billboards Latin Music Hall of Fame along with fellow Cuban musician Cachao López.[8] 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

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

On July 16, 2003, Cruz died of brain cancer[9][10][11] at her home in Fort Lee, New Jersey, at the age of 77. Her husband, Pedro Knight (died February 3, 2007), was there for her while she was going through cancer treatments. She had no children with him. 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.[12] Knight had Cruz buried in a granite mausoleum that he had built in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx earlier in 2003, when she was dying. Knight chose the plot on which it stands, which is near the gravestones of Duke Ellington and Miles Davis, because it was accessible to fans, and had four windows built into it so that fans could see inside when paying their respects. Knight was known to share his time there with visiting fans. Knight himself was buried with Cruz in the same mausoleum following his death on February 3, 2007.[13] 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

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 Azucar! 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.[14] Cruz's star has expanded into Union City's "Walk of Fame",[15] 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,[16] Tito Puente, Spanish language television news anchor Rafael Pineda, salsa pioneer Johnny Pacheco,[17] singer/bandleader Gilberto Santa Rosa and music promoter Ralph Mercado.[18]

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.[19]

On March 16, 2011, Celia Cruz was honored by the United States Postal Service with a commemorative postage stamp. The Cruz stamp was one of a group of five stamps honoring Latin music greats, also including Selena, Tito Puente, Carmen Miranda, and Carlos Gardel.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History collaborated with photographer Robert Weingarten to create an object-based portrait of Celia Cruz featuring artifacts in the museum. The portrait was unveiled October 3, 2012.[20]

On October 21, 2013, Google honored her with a Google Doodle.[21] At 41st American Music Awards, American singer Jennifer Lopez performed a medley of Cruz's songs.[22]

Discography

  • 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 que Yo Quería Haber Grabado Primero
  • 1965 Canciones Premiadas
  • 1959 Mi Diario Musical
  • 1958 Incomparable Celia

Filmography

Grammy Awards

Year Recipient Award Result
1989 "Ritmo En El Corazon" Best Tropical Latin Performance style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
2000 Celia Cruz and Friends: A Night of Salsa Best Salsa Performance style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
2001 "Siempre Viviré" Best Tropical Traditional Album style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
2002 La Negra Tiene Tumbao Best Salsa Album style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
2003 La Negra Tiene Tumbao Best Salsa Album style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
2003 Regalo del Alma Best Salsa/Merengue Album style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won
2004 Regalo del Alma Best Salsa Album style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won

See also

References

  1. ↑ Pareles, Jon (December 14, 1992). "Review/Pop; The Queen of Latin Music Takes It From the Top". Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Celia Cruz's Shoes". National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
  3. ↑ Cobo, Leila (July 26, 2003). "Cuban Salsa Sensation Celia Cruz Dies At 77". AllBusiness.com.
  4. ↑ Celia Cruz; Ana Cristina Reymundo (2004). Celia: mi vida. Harper Collins. pp. 24, 74. ISBN 0060726067.
  5. ↑ "¡Azúcar! The Life and Music of Celia Cruz". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2007-11-04.
  6. ↑ Celia Cruz; Ana Cristina Reymundo (2004). Celia: mi vida. Harper Collins. pp. 32—4. ISBN 0060726067.
  7. ↑ Scott, O.A. (2009-07-10). "Music and Musicians Still Echo 35 Years Later". The New York Times.
  8. ↑ Lannert, John (May 21, 1994). "First Latin Music Awards Recognize Range of Talent". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc.) 106 (32): LM-52. Retrieved June 3, 2010.
  9. ↑ Ellen Pearlman (April 1, 2008). "Azucar! Celia: The Life and Music of Celia Cruz at the New World Theater". The Brooklyn Rail.
  10. ↑ Townsend Rosa; Vicent, Manuel (July 18, 2003). "La muerte de Celia Cruz consterna al exilio cubano y a los artistas de la isla". EDICIONES EL PAÍS, S.L. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  11. ↑ "¡Azúcar en el cielo!". El Diario de Hoy. July 17, 2003.
  12. ↑ "Azúcar: Google celebra a Celia Cruz" (in Spanish). Telemundo. October 21, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  13. ↑ Brady, Emily (February 25, 2007). "Amid the Gravestones, a Final Love Song". The New York Times.
  14. ↑ Rosero, Jessica (June 2, 2004). "Homage to Celia Cruz: UC to pay tribute to Queen of Salsa with events, park dedication". The Hudson Reporter.
  15. ↑ Fernandez, Lucio; Karabin, Gerard (2010). Union City in Pictures. Book Press NY. p. 74
  16. ↑ Rosero, Jessica (June 18, 2006). "Viva la comunidad Cubano North Hudson celebrates at the annual Cuban Day Parade". The Hudson Reporter.
  17. ↑ Rosero, Jessica (May 26, 2006). "'La vida es un carnaval' North Hudson celebrates 6th annual Cuban Day Parade". The Hudson Reporter.
  18. ↑ Staab, Amanda (October 5, 2008). "UC first stop for Latin Grammies". The Union City Reporter. pp. 1, 21
  19. ↑ Celia at Lortel Archives; accessed August 24, 2010
  20. ↑ "National Museum of American History Reveals Celia Cruz Portrait". Newsdesk. Smithsonian Institution. October 3, 2012
  21. ↑ Gowens, Otis (2013-10-21). "Celia Cruz, queen of Salsa, gets Google Doodle". AJC.com (Cox Media Group).
  22. ↑ "Jennifer Lopez rinde tributo a Celia Cruz en los American Music Awards". The Huffington Post (in Spanish). AOL. November 24, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.

External links

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