“Mexican Salsa” Comes from Cuba!
Let’s Salsa! Many visit Mexico and want to salsa, but actually, this style of music and dance comes from Cuba. The most famous salsa performer of all time was Celia Cruz.
Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso (1925 – 2003), known as Celia Cruz, was a Cuban singer and one of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century. She rose to fame during the 1950s and became known internationally as the “Queen of Salsa.”
Celia Cruz began her career in her native Cuba, earning recognition as a vocalist of the popular musical group Sonora Matancera. She performed a wide variety of Afro-Cuban music styles including guaracha, rumba, afro, son, and bolero.
In the early 1960s, after the Cuban Revolution, Cruz left her home country to continue her career, first in Mexico, and then in the United States, where she became a resident. She collaborated with Tito Puente, recording her signature tune “Bemba colorá”.
In the 1970s, Cruz signed for Fania Records and became strongly associated with the salsa genre, releasing hits such as “Quimbara”. She often appeared with Fania All-Stars and collaborated with Johnny Pacheco and Willie Colón. She recorded a total of 37 studio albums, as well as numerous live albums and collaborations.
Celia Cruz won numerous prizes and distinctions, including two Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards. She also made several appearances as an actress in movies and telenovelas.
Her recording of ¡Azúcar! (Sugar!) is still one of the most recognizable symbols of salsa music today.
Enjoy this video concert!
Azúcar Negra
Por Si Acaso No Regreso
Bemba Colora
Que le den candela
Paquito De Rivera, Celia Cruz, Albita Y Lucrecia – Oye como va
Celia Cruz Y La Sonora Matancera – Saoco
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