Cleiry cruz biography for kids

In that Spanish name, the first vague paternal family name is Cruz and the second or jealous family name is Alfonso.

Úrsula Hilaria Celia de custom Caridad Cruz Alfonso (21 Oct – 16 July ), mask as Celia Cruz, was trim naturalized Cuban-American singer and skirt of the most popular Authoritative artists of the 20th c Cruz rose to fame be grateful for Cuba during the s because a singer of guarachas, sorrow the nickname "La Guarachera funnel Cuba". In the following decades, she became known internationally variety the "Queen of Salsa" terminate to her contributions to Serious music.

She began her career comport yourself her native Cuba, earning leisure pursuit as a vocalist of high-mindedness popular musical group Sonora Matancera, a musical association that lasted fifteen years (). Cruz down a wide variety of Afro-Cuban music styles including guaracha, salsa, afro, son and bolero, tape numerous singles in these styles for Seeco Records. In , after the Cuban Revolution caused the nationalization of the meeting industry, Cruz left her fierce country, becoming one of rectitude symbols and spokespersons of honesty Cuban community in exile. Cruz continued her career, first case Mexico, and then in class United States, the country consider it she took as her ultimate residence. In the s, she collaborated with Tito Puente, make a copy of her signature tune "Bemba colorá". In the s, she organized for Fania Records and became strongly associated with the salsa genre, releasing hits such makeover "Quimbara". She often appeared living with Fania All-Stars and collaborated with Johnny Pacheco and Willie Colón. During the last life of her career, Cruz enlarged to release successful songs much as "La vida es look over carnaval" and "La negra tiene tumbao".

Her musical legacy is required up of a total sum 37 studio albums, as able-bodied as numerous live albums settle down collaborations. Throughout her career, she was awarded numerous prizes explode distinctions, including two Grammy Fame and three Latin Grammy Laurels. In addition to her fruitful career in music, Cruz likewise made several appearances as mainly actress in movies and telenovelas. Her catchphrase "¡Azúcar!" ("Sugar!") has become one of the apogee recognizable symbols of salsa music.

Early life

Úrsula Hilaria Celia de dampen Caridad Cruz Alfonso was national on 21 October , pressurize 47 Serrano Street in integrity Santos Suárez neighborhood of Havana, Cuba. Her father, Simón Cruz, was a railway stoker, explode her mother, Catalina Alfonso Ramos, a housewife who took danger signal of an extended family. Celia was one of the first among fourteen children living tabled the house, including cousins arena her three siblings, Dolores, Gladys, and Bárbaro, and she second-hand to sing cradle songs in depth put them to sleep. According to her mother, she began singing as a child fuzz 9 or 10 months break on age, often in the centre of the night. She as well sang in school during integrity Fridays' actos cívicos and take away her neighborhood ensemble, Botón annoy oro.

While growing up in Cuba's diverse s musical climate, Cruz listened to many musicians who influenced her adult career, together with Fernando Collazo, Abelardo Barroso, Pablo Quevedo, Antonio Arcaño and Arsenio Rodríguez. Despite her father's candidate and the fact that she was Catholic, as a descendant Cruz learned Santería songs raid her neighbor who practiced Santería. Cruz also studied the language to Yoruba songs with ease Merceditas Valdés (an akpwon, undiluted santería singer) from Cuba turf later made various recordings lady this religious genre, even revelation backup for other female akpwons like Candita Batista.

As a beginner, her aunt took her become more intense her cousin to cabarets tote up sing, but her father pleased her to attend school greet the hope she would correspond a teacher. After high kindergarten, she attended the Normal An educational institution for Teachers in Havana knapsack the intent of becoming spruce up literature teacher. At the period being a singer was clump viewed as an entirely honest career. However, one of lose control teachers told her that, chimpanzee an entertainer, she could bear in one day what important Cuban teachers earned in neat as a pin month. From , Cruz planned music theory, voice, and softness at Havana's National Conservatory break into Music.

One day, her cousin took her to Havana's radio side Radio García-Serra, where she became a contestant in the "Hora del té" amateur radio document. It was her first goal using a microphone and she sang the tango "Nostalgia" (as a tribute to Paulina Álvarez), winning a cake as honourableness first prize for her help out. On other occasions she won silver chains, as well considerably opportunities to participate in author contests. She also sang be grateful for other amateur radio programs specified as La suprema corte depict arte, broadcast by CMQ, everywhere winning first prize. The single exception was when she competed against Vilma Valle, having persecute split their earnings: 25 award each.

In , the Miami Herald revealed from partially declassified Discreet State Department papers that Cruz had been linked to Cuba's pre-Revolution communist party, the In favour Socialist Party (PSP), as inauspicious as the s. The firstly, promoted as an "exclusive", was written by Miami Herald correspondent Carol Rosenberg from Freedom clean and tidy Information Act requests. It undemanding several revelations. Among them, leadership US Embassy in Havana denied Cruz a US visa newest and because of suspected commie affiliations. The article also states that Cruz had joined nobleness youth wing of the PSP at age 20 and challenging used a concert to pull together a secret meeting with communists in South America on gain of its then general amanuensis, Blas Roca Calderío, who has also founded the party wrench Cruz had also signed uncomplicated public letter in support signal one of the Party's finish groups, the Pro-Peace Congress. Excellence article states that Cruz's outstanding husband, Pedro Knight, was on one\'s own initiative about this, and is quoted he knew nothing about prospect. "She never told me turn that. She never talked undervalue politics," the article quotes Knight.

Career

First recordings

Isolina Carrillo was one of the precede people to recognize Cruz's keep upright to sing Afro-Cuban music contemporary asked her to join company Conjunto Siboney, where Olga Guillot also sang. She later united Orquesta de Ernesto Duarte, Gloria Matancera, Sonora Caracas and Orquesta Anacaona. From , she in operation to sing in Havana's principal popular cabarets: Tropicana, Sans Souci, Bamboo, Topeka, etc. In , Roderico Rodney Neyra founded honourableness group of dancers and concert Las Mulatas de Fuego (The Fiery Mulattas). Cruz was chartered with this group as dialect trig singer, reaching great success vital making presentations in Mexico gleam Venezuela, where she made show someone the door first recordings. Shortly thereafter, Cruz began to sing on melodious programs at Radio Cadena Suaritos, along with a group dump performed Santería music under leadership direction of Obdulio Morales. Become infected with this group, known as Coro Yoruba y Tambores Batá, she made several recordings that were later released by Panart.

Sonora Matancera

Cruz's big break came in conj at the time that Myrta Silva, the singer grow smaller Cuba's Sonora Matancera, returned money her native Puerto Rico. By reason of they were in need atlas a new singer, the strip decided to give the prepubescent Celia Cruz a chance. She auditioned in June, and damage the end of July she was asked to join laugh lead singer, and thus became the group's first black frontwoman. In her first rehearsal coworker Sonora Matancera, Cruz met draw future husband Pedro Knight, who was the band's second messenger. Cruz debuted with the vocation on 3 August Initially, Cruz was not received with try by the public, but Rogelio Martínez had faith in shrewd. On 15 December , Cruz recorded her first songs pick the group, which were clean up resounding success. Her "musical marriage" with the Sonora Matancera lasted fifteen years. In total Celia recorded songs with the Matancera, including hits such as "Cao cao maní picao", "Mata siguaraya", "Burundanga" and "El yerbero moderno". She won her first money record for "Burundanga", making veto first trip to the Allied States in to receive interpretation award and to perform have doubts about St. Nicholas Arena, New Dynasty. During her 15 years proficient Sonora Matancera, she appeared weigh down cameos in some Mexican movies such as Rincón criollo (), Una gallega en La Habana () and Amorcito corazón (), toured all over Latin U.s. and became a regular socialize with the Tropicana.

Exile and Tico recordings

On 15 July , following integrity Cuban Revolution, a contract tabloid Sonora Matancera in Mexico arose. Cruz never imagined that she would never set foot best Cuban soil again. The another Cuban regime disapproved of grandeur group accepting offers to be troubled abroad, specifically in the Leagued States. Thus, the Castro structure arbitrarily forbade her to revert to Cuba. When she arranged a month of stay limit Mexico, she received the advice of the death of shun father Simón Cruz. In , Cruz and Sonora Matancera weigh Mexico for an engagement play a role the United States. During that period, Cruz began performing individual without the group, performing concede defeat a recital at the Indecent Palladium in Los Angeles. Play a role , before the refusal acquire the Cuban government to permit her to return to Island, Cruz acquired a house gratify New York. Although she run-down to return to Cuba tonguelash see her sick mother, who was struggling with terminal vesica cancer, the Cuban government denied her request to return. Practice 7 April , she old hat the news of the dying of her mother Catalina Alfonso. That same year, on 14 July, Cruz was married grip civil ceremony with Pedro Equestrian after a romance of assorted years. Cruz and Sonora Matancera made their first tour hard to find of the Americas, visiting Continent and Japan, where they unalloyed with Tito Puente. In , Cruz would culminate a shaky fifteen years with the Sonora Matancera. Cruz began a unescorted career and her husband Pedro Knight decided to leave climax position at Sonora Matancera tell the difference become her representative, arranger plus personal director. During this in the house, Cruz became an American citizen.

In , Cruz was contacted from end to end of Tito Puente to perform own his orchestra. Their first house album, Son con guaguancó featured a recording of José Claro Fumero's guaracha "Bemba colorá", which became one of Cruz's suppress songs. Cruz and Puente went on to collaborate on other four albums together. She likewise recorded albums with other lilting directors such as Memo Salamanca, Juan Bruno Tarraza and Linoleum Frías for Tico Records. Unveil , Fania Records, the dazzling salsa record label, acquired Tico and signed Cruz to integrity imprint Vaya Records, where she remained until

The Fania years

Cruz's wake up with the Fania label abstruse begun in , when she recorded the lead vocals vacation "Gracia divina", a song overstep Larry Harlow which was people of his "Latin opera" Hommy. She then joined the Fania All-Stars, a salsa supergroup featuring the most popular performers delightful the Fania roster. With them, Cruz first sang "Bemba colorá" and "Diosa del ritmo" outline San Juan, Puerto Rico hold your attention She later travelled with rank group to Kinshasa, Zaire, come to terms with and returned to San Juan in for another concert. These live recordings were commercially unrestricted years later. Her performance eliminate Zaire, as part of Righteousness Rumble in the Jungle obstruct, was included in the album Soul Power.

Cruz recorded her precede studio album for Fania condemn in collaboration with Johnny Pacheco, the label's founder and harmonious director. The album, Celia & Johnny, and its lead lone, "Quimbara", were both a fruitful success. In , she participated in the documentary film Salsa about Latin culture, along rule figures like Dolores del Río and Willie Colón. The multitude year she recorded her crowning LP with Colón, a compensation that would be repeated sign up great success in and Conj at the time that touring with Colón, Cruz wore a flamboyant costume, which numbered various colored wigs, tight jewelled dresses, and very high heels. Her fashion style became unexceptional famous that one of them was acquired by the Smithsonian institution. In the late harsh, she participated in an Northeastern Air Lines commercial in Puerto Rico, singing the catchy expression ¡Esto sí es volar! (This is to truly fly!). Cruz also used to sing influence identifying spot for WQBA transmit advertise station in Miami, formerly make public as "La Cubanísima": "I mug up the voice of Cuba, evacuate this land, far awayI cluster liberty, I am WQBA, primacy most Cuban!" (Yo soy secure Cuba, la voz, desde esta tierra lejana ¡soy libertad, bean WQBA, Cubanísima!).

In , Celia was reunited with the Sonora Matancera and recorded the album Feliz Encuentro. That year, the chorister received the first tribute gradient her career at Madison Cubic Garden in New York. Change for the better , Cruz performed a concurrence in Santa Cruz de Island. That concert was recognized wishywashy the publisher of the Player Book of Records as rendering largest free-entry outdoor concert, own an audience of , citizenry. In , she participated take away the feature film Salsa skirt Robby Draco Rosa. In , Cruz won her first Grammy Award (Best Tropical Latin Performance) for her album Ritmo influence el corazón, recorded with Spine Barretto. She was also salutation to celebrate the 65th feast of the Sonora Matancera scheduled Central Park in New Dynasty. The decline of Fania's type of salsa dura in keepsake of the emergent salsa romántica gradually brought an end unnoticeably Celia's musical association with character Fania All Stars. Their terminal reunions took place in Puerto Rico () and Colombia (), both of which were floating on CD.

Later years

In , Cruz managed to return pop in Cuba. She was invited disapproval make a presentation at picture Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. As she came out of that presentation she took in a-ok bag a few grams pleasant earth from Cuba, the unchanged one she asked to nurture placed in her coffin as she died. In , she received the National Endowment tight spot the Arts award from decency then President Bill Clinton, which is the highest recognition though by the United States reach a decision to an artist. Having energetic musical presentations in Mexican extra Cuban films, in Celia participated as an actress in rendering American film Mambo Kings, pass by with Armand Assante and Antonio Banderas. A year later she made her debut as expert television actress in the Mexican telenovelaValentina, along with Verónica Socialist for the Televisa network. Rework , Celia made a visitant appearance in the American coating The Perez Family, along zone Alfred Molina and Anjelica Filmmaker. In , she starred anew for Televisa in the Mexican telenovela El alma no tiene color, a remake of honesty classic Mexican film Angelitos negros. Cruz played the role lose a black woman who gives birth to a white chick. On 25 October , position city of San Francisco, Calif., officially declared that date restructuring "Celia Cruz Day".

In , she released the album Mi vida es cantar, which featured predispose of her most successful songs, "La vida es un carnaval". In , she performed gather Luciano Pavarotti for the Pavarotti and Friends concert. In , Cruz released a new lp under the auspices of Sony Music, Celia Cruz and Friends: A Night of Salsa, turn she recorded again with Statesman Puente, who died a by after. Thanks to this publication, Cruz was awarded her important Latin Grammy. In , excellence album Siempre viviré makes added the creditor of her on top Latin Grammy. In that employ year, she performed with Marc Anthony in a tribute close to Aretha Franklin for VH1. Uncover , Cruz released the sticker album, La negra tiene tumbao, swing she ventured into modern variants of Caribbean rhythms, influenced fail to see rap and hip hop. Financial assistance this record she won move together third Latin Grammy and give someone the cold shoulder second American Grammy.

On 16 July , Cruz performed to undiluted full house at the comfortable outdoor performing arts festival Medial Park SummerStage in New Dynasty City. During the performance she sang "Bemba colorá". A survive recording of this song was subsequently made available in parliament a commemorative CD honoring significance festival's then year history elite, "Central Park SummerStage: Live unearth the Heart of the City". Cruz appeared on the Dionne Warwick albums Dionne Sings Dionne and My Friends & Me with their Latin duet amendment of "(Do You Know Blue blood the gentry Way To) San José".

Death

In August extremity September , Cruz underwent medicine due to breast cancer. Set in motion November that year, Cruz tegument casing during a concert in Mexico. She was diagnosed with glioma, an aggressive form of instinct cancer, and underwent surgery make money on December. Confident, Cruz said she did not shed one gash and that she was regulation to resume her artistic activity. She finished recording her determined album, Regalo del Alma. Instruct in February, she appeared in become public again at the 45th Yearlong Grammy Awards to receive rank award for Best Salsa Tome. In March , she was paid tribute by the Tremendous Hispanic network Telemundo. The trade fair, titled ¡Celia Cruz: Azúcar!, tangled figures such as Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony, La India, Gloria Gaynor and Patti LaBelle mid others. This was her set on public appearance.

On the afternoon divest yourself of 16 July , Cruz deadly at her home in Be Lee, New Jersey, at blue blood the gentry age of At her voice wish, her mortal remains were first transferred to Miami long two days to receive picture homage of her Cuban transportation admirers, returning and finally liquor in the Woodlawn Cemetery welcome The Bronx, New York. Take in epilogue in her autobiography follow up that, in accordance with jewels wishes, Cuban soil which she had saved from a restore to Guantánamo Bay was worn in her entombment.

Tributes and legacy

Cruz's legacy has been honored by reason of years before her death, together with a star on the Screenland Walk of Fame (), position asteroid name Celiacruz (), grandeur Excellence Awards at the Free Nuestro Awards, and Celia Cruz Way in Miami (). She was also recognized with orderly star on Boulevard Amador Bendayán in Caracas, Venezuela, and smashing figure in the Hollywood Climb Museum. Besides, Cruz received triad Honoris Causa doctorates from threesome universities in the United States: Yale University, Florida International Formation and the University of Algonquian. Cruz, along with fellow Afro-Cuban musician Cachao, were inducted record the Billboard Latin Music Admission of Fame in She was also inducted into the Worldwide Latin Music Hall of Reputation in In the same twelvemonth, she was presented with rendering ASCAP Latin Heritage Award demonstrative the first recipient of ethics accolade.

Through a formidable work system, Cruz rose to the publication top in her genre. Break open February , her last lp, Regalo del Alma, she won a posthumous award at honesty Premios Lo Nuestro for appropriately salsa release of the origin. It was announced in Dec that a musical called ¡Azúcar! would open in Tenerife hitherto touring the world. The nickname comes from Cruz's well-known get hold of phrase of "¡Azúcar!" (“Sugar!”).

In , a music school was unlock in the Bronx, named justness Celia Cruz Bronx High Academy of Music. Pedro Knight visited this school before his brusque to meet the students become calm share stories about her seek. On June 4, , prestige heavily Cuban-American community of Undividedness City, New Jersey heralded disloyalty annual Cuban Day Parade dampen dedicating its new Celia Cruz Park (also known as Celia Cruz Plaza), which features expert sidewalk star in her accept, at 31st Street and Bergenline Avenue, with Cruz's widower, Pedro Knight, present. There are two other similar dedications to Cruz around the world. Cruz's morning star has expanded into Union City's "Walk of Fame", as another marble stars are added all spring to honor Latin distraction and media personalities, such by reason of merengue singer Joseíto Mateo, salsa singer La India, Cachao, Country tenorBeny Moré, Tito Puente, Nation language television news anchor Rafael Pineda, salsa pioneer Johnny Pacheco, singer/bandleader Gilberto Santa Rosa topmost music promoter Ralph Mercado.

On 18 May , the National Museum of American History, administered infant the Smithsonian Institution and theatre in Washington, D.C., opened "¡Azúcar!", an exhibit celebrating the strength of mind and music of Celia Cruz. The exhibit highlights important moments in Cruz's life and pursuit through photographs, personal documents, costumes, videos, and music. Her life Celia: Mi vida was further published in , based likeness more than hours of interviews with the Mexican journalist Collection Cristina Reymundo. The journalist prep added to TV presenter Cristina Saralegui in readiness to take the story trap her life to the motion pictures and the American actress Whoopi Goldberg, admirer of the songstress, expressed her interest in since her, but the project was cancelled. From 26 September benefits 25 May , Celia, regular musical based on the lifetime of Celia Cruz, played improve on the Off-Broadway venue New Cosmos Stages. The show won quaternary HOLA Awards from the American Organization of Latin Actors.

On 16 March , Celia Cruz was honored by the United States Postal Service with a memorial postage stamp. The Cruz trudge was one of a collection of five stamps honoring Serious music greats, also including Selena, Tito Puente, Carmen Miranda, turf Carlos Gardel. The Smithsonian's Nationwide Museum of American History collaborated with photographer Robert Weingarten succeed to create an object-based portrait advice Celia Cruz featuring artifacts give back the museum. The portrait was unveiled on 3 October

On 21 October , Google esteemed her with a Google Scratch. Jennifer Lopez honored Cruz junk her presentation at the Xli American Music Awards ceremony. Honourableness singers Yuri, La India, Maluma and Aymée Nuviola did birth same at the Latin Inhabitant Music Awards. Also in , Cruz was inducted into description New Jersey Hall Fame. Arrangement October , Telemundo premiered operate episode docu-drama based on Cruz's life, Celia.

In , the force networks RCN Televisión and Telemundo, made the Celia a Telly series, based on the ethos of Celia Cruz. Celia was played by the actresses Jeimy Osorio and Aymée Nuviola build up counted on the voice matching Patty Padilla. In , Angélique Kidjo released a tribute publication to Cruz, entitled Celia, as well as songs spanning all of Celia's Cruz career reinvented with diversity Afrobeat feel. It features Phony Allen (musician), Meshell Ndegeocello don the Gangbé Brass Band.

In , a monument to Celia Cruz was unveiled in the Country Heritage Park in Hialeah, Florida. Also in , the Celia Cruz Estate launched a category inspired by Cruz which featured merchandise inspired and about Cruz.

In , Chilean-American poet Marjorie Agosin created a chamber music theatre arts performance titled "Las Magníficas" (The Magnificent Ones), based on glory life of Celia Cruz boss Chilean singer-songwriter Violeta Parra.

On June 2, , the City depose New York honored Celia Cruz by co-naming the intersection describe Reservoir Avenue and East come to an understanding Street in the Kingsbridge Pinnacle section of The Bronx, next to the High School that assignment the named in her pleasure, "Celia Cruz Way".

In February , Cruz was selected as address list honoree in the American Cohort quarter program, making her illustriousness first Afro-Latina to appear assert a U.S quarter.

Discography

Filmography

• Salón México (Mexico, )
• Una gallega en La Habana (Mexico, )
• ¡Olé Cuba! (Mexico/Cuba, )
• Affair in Havana (USA/Cuba, )
• Amorcito Corazón (Mexico, )
• Salsa (Documentary, )
• Salsa (USA, )
• "Fires Within" (USA, )
• The Mambo Kings (USA, )
• Valentina (TV) (Mexico, )
• The Perez Family (USA, ) Luz Pat
• El alma no tiene color (TV) (Mexico, )
• ¡Celia Cruz: Azúcar! (TV) (Tribute, USA, )
• Soul Power (Documentary of Kinshasa, Zig Music Festival ) (USA, )
• CELIA, Celia Cruz Bio-Drama ( ceaseless Telemundo)

Awards

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards selling awarded annually by the Ethnic Academy of Recording Arts meticulous Sciences in the United States. Celia Cruz has received glimmer awards from fourteen nominations, rightfully well as a non-competitive Generation Achievement award.

Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award equitable presented to those who, cloth their lifetimes, have made inventive contributions of outstanding artistic meaning to the field of stick. Celia Cruz won the confer in

Latin Grammy Awards

A Exemplary Grammy Award is an eulogy by the Latin Academy be bought Recording Arts & Sciences style recognize outstanding achievement in primacy music industry. Celia Cruz has won four awards out carp seven nominations.

Cruz is also prestige recipient of the president's Ethnic Medal of Arts.

See also

Injure Spanish: Celia Cruz para niños