Spotlight Artist: Celia Cruz
CELIA CRUZ - THE QUEEN OF SALSA
Photo Courtesy of Craft Latino
Known for decades as the “Queen of Salsa Music” and one of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century, Celia Cruz was a Cuban-American singer who made significant contributions to Latin music with her soulful singing style and bold charisma.
Celia was born in Havana, Cuba, the eldest of 14 children. She began singing from a very early age, and often sang lullabies for her younger siblings to sleep.
She would sing at cabarets in her teenage years but was highly encouraged to get an education from her father. Cruz originally intended to become a literature teacher, as musical artists were not considered as having entirely reputable careers at the time, but later switched to Havana’s National Conservatory of Music to study music. Cruz’s career was kickstarted by several performances and singing contests on Cuban radio shows; she also sang with the popular musical group of Sonora Matancera.
In the early 1960s, following the nationalization of the music industry in Cuba due to the Cuban Revolution, Celia fled her country and became a prominent figure of the exiled Cuban community. She continued her musical career in Mexico and later moved permanently to the US, where she eventually launched her solo career. Celia rose to prominence with her powerful vocals and distinct style, and became one of the most renowned names in Latin music. Her persona and talent contributed to the growth and spread of salsa music, and put Cuba on the map for the global music scene. Her success won her three Grammy awards and four Latin Grammys.
Photo Courtesy of @carolbellese on Instagram
In an interview, she said,
"I have fulfilled my father's wish to be a teacher as, through my music, I teach generations of people about my culture and the happiness that is found in just living life. As a performer, I want people to feel their hearts sing and their spirits soar."
More than just a singer, Cruz was a cultural icon who helped contribute to the spread and popularity of the music from her home country, around the world. Though she passed away in 2003, her legacy and mark on the world will live on forever.
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https://www.allmusic.com/artist/celia-cruz-mn0000186312/biography