Celia Cruz, known as the Queen of Salsa, was an internationally acclaimed singer and dynamic stage performer from the s to the start of the 21st century.
Celia Cruz was instrumental to the creation and popularization of “salsa,” a new genre of pan-Hispanic music that emerged in the s.
Her long, versatile career broadened the reach of Caribbean and Latin American music, celebrating its African roots.
“Toda la vida, yo he cantado musica alegre; . . . no me gusta cantar nada triste. Pues debo tener mis momentos de tristeza … pero eso es para mi, para mi interior. . . no quiero transmitir al público.”
[All my life, I’ve sung happy music; I don’t like to sing anything sad. Of course I have unhappy moments, but they are just for me, for my inner life. I don’t want to bring that to the public.]
-“Me Llamo Celia Cruz,” BBC documentary ()
Becoming a Singer: La Guarachera de Cuba
The Queen of Salsa was born Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso on October 21, , in Havana, Cuba. Her parents, siblings, half siblings, and cousins made a large, lively household in the Santos Suárez neighborhood. They struggled economically to stretch the salary her father ear
Celia Cruz was a Cuban-American salsa singer, 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.&#;
While growing up in Cuba&#;s diverse s musical climate, Cruz listened to many musicians that later influenced her adult career, such as Paulina Alvarez, Fernando Collazo, Abelardo Barroso,Pablo Quevedo, Arsenio Rodríguez, and Arcaño y sus Maravillas.
In , 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 con
Celia Cruz's Unforgettable Guinness Record: When the Salsa Queen Mesmerized , in Tenerife
The illustrious life and career of Celia Cruz, affectionately known as the Queen of Salsa, left an indelible impact not only on Cuban and Latin music but also on global audiences, earning her a spot in the *Guinness World Records*. Her immense talent, charisma, and relentless dedication transformed this Cuban powerhouse into a worldwide icon, admired by millions even after her passing.
A Historic Concert in Tenerife: Setting a New Record
On March 9, , Celia Cruz etched her name in history during the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, one of Spain's most significant cultural events. Accompanied by the Sonora Matancera, the Billo’s Caracas Boys, and local orchestras Maracaibo and Guayaba, Celia attracted a staggering , attendees to a free concert at Plaza de España. This monumental gathering was recognized by the *Guinness World Records* as the largest audience for an event of its kind in an urban plaza.
The crowd was captivated when Celia performed the heartfelt song "Islas Canarias" a cappella, showcasing her connection with the people of Tenerife and her ability to transcend
EARLY YEARS
Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso – Celia Cruz – was born in in Barrio Santos Suarez in Havana, one of 4 children. In a career that spanned six decades, Celia became the “Queen of Salsa,” and was central to the genre’s rising popularity.
Celia was drawn to music from an early age. Legend has it that her first pair of shoes was actually a gift from a tourist for whom she sang. In addition to singing her siblings to sleep, Celia sang in school productions and community gatherings.
Her career began in earnest as a teenager, when her aunt and cousin took her to cabarets to perform. Although her father wanted her to become a teacher, she followed her heart and chose music instead, studying voice, theory and piano at Havana’s National Conservatory of Music. In the late ’s, she competed on an amateur radio show contest called “The Tea Hour.” As a result of her growing radio fame, she came to the attention of influential producers and musicians.
She was hired as the singer for Las Mulatas Del Fuego, a dance group that traveled throughout Latin America. In , she became the lead female singer for LaSonora Matancera, Cuba’s most popular orchestra. Over th
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