Celia Cruz- Queen of Salsa

Celia Cruz, birth name Ursula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso, popularly known as the Queen of Salsa made tremendous strides to introduce Cuba the world. Her music career went from performing guarachas in Cuban theaters, to her travels in Mexico and Venezuela being a part of La Sonora Matancera, a Cuban orchestra, to residing in the US where she signed with Fania Records. Cruz had an interesting career as she was exiled from Cuba due to the Cuban revolt which led her to being naturalized in the United States. We can call that the silver lining in the midst of dark clouds. She is such a prominent figure, she has her own signature phrase “Azucar” which translates to “sugar” in English. This is her recognizing her heritage and the Cuban slaves on sugar plantations. This playlist is going to feature some artists that she collaborated with and artists that made similar strides to Cruz. Put your shoes on and be prepared to dance!

Celia Cruz is known as the Queen of Salsa. The United States treasured Cruz, she was awarded city keys from four mayors of four different cities! She was awarded the Hispanic Heritage Lifetime Achievement award, several honorary doctorates, and much more. Cruz has three Grammy awards and four Latin Grammy awards to showcase how amazing her career was. She was awarded her first Grammy in 1990 for her album, Ritmo en el corazon, which she collaborated with Ray Barretto. Below is the song that made waves. Enjoy the woodwinds, brass and strings of this salsa masterpiece “Ritmo en el corazon.”

Ray Barretto was born in the US but has Puerto Rican parents. He served in World War II where he heard various versions of jazz. He learned how to play the conga drums after his service and that was the beginning of his career. In 1967 he signed with the same record label as Cruz, Fania records where he collaborated with her to earn both of their first Grammy award. Though he partnered with Cruz, Ray was more of a lone wolf and many would describe his career as a solo career. This song “Acid” is one of his popular songs as he fuses the Afro-Caribbean percussions with elements of jazz. Enjoy!

Let’s talk a bit more about persons who collaborated with Celia Cruz. A name that’s popular all on his, Tito Puente. He and Cruz collaborated to making many hits. Tito had a love for the drums from an early age… even before he actually knew how to play them. His neighbors would complain about his playing which led to him taking lessons… gifting the world with Tito Fuente. Like Cruz, Tito received numerous Grammy awards and the key to a city, New York City. Tito recorded EIGHT albums with Celia Cruz. Their first collaboration was with the song “La guarachera.” Enjoy the rhythm of the boleros and dance.

Celia Cruz was known as the Queen of Salsa but there is someone who carried the title as the Princess of Salsa, La India. India is known as a Salsa artist who blend R&B and Latin music to make her hit songs. Her genre of music is called salsa romantica where her songs are love songs but still mentions social issues. India collaborated with many prominent figures like our Celia Cruz and Marc Anthony. She was recognized several times by the Grammy. One of her hit songs is “Dicen que Soy” which translates to “They say I am.” This song talks about the gossip and rumors that were said about her which she flipped for the positive to empower women in her position. Enjoy the sounds of the congos and the call and response of the vocalists in “Dicen Que Soy.”

Marc Anthony is a modern Salsa artist whose performance and vocals shows the heavy influence of Celia Cruz. Marc’s given name is Marco Antonio Muniz, which some of you may recognize. This name is also the name of a very famous Mexican singer who Marc parents loved, giving him the same name. Marc changed his name to Marc Anthony due to the pressure and shoes he had to fill because of his name when he decided to join the music industry. With a speech impediment, stuttering, Marc found solace in singing. He, like Cruz has won numerous Grammy awards and Latin Grammy awards. Here’s one of his hit songs “Vivir mi vida.” Can you notice Celia Cruz influence in this very modern song?

Gloria Estefan often cites Celia Cruz as a major influence in her musical career. In an interview posted by Billboard news, Gloria mentions how she listened to Celia Cruz at her tender years. Gloria passionately talks about Cruz as her friend and her mentor. Like Cruz, Gloria was awarded many times by Grammy for her wonderful songs. One of her Grammy winning songs is “Mi Tierra” which is a mix of pop and salsa. Congas and bongos bringing the Afro-Caribbean blend with string instruments and vocalists call and response makes this song a masterpiece. This song is dedicated to her Cuban heritage, highlighting how beautiful and vibrant Cuba is.

References

Celia Cruz. National Museum of African American History and Culture. (2022a, January 11). https://nmaahc.si.edu/latinx/celia-cruz#:~:text=She%20began%20collaborating%20and%20recording,a%20collaboration%20with%20Ray%20Barretto. 

For the record: Celebrating cuban sensation & queen of salsa Celia Cruz. GRAMMY.com. (n.d.). https://www.grammy.com/news/record-celebrating-cuban-sensation-queen-salsa-celia-cruz 

Fuentes, E. (2024, June 10). Gloria & Emilio Estefan talk Celia Cruz’s inspiration, being honored with the Icon Award & More. Billboard. https://www.billboard.com/video/gloria-estefan-emilio-estefan-inspired-by-celia-cruz-icon-award-billboard-mujeres-latinas-en-la-musica/ 

Lechner, E. (2023, April 18). Celebrate Tito Puente’s centennial with 15 essential albums. AARP. https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/music/info-2023/tito-puente-albums.html#:~:text=(1966),-Album%20cover%20courtesy&text=The%20eight%20albums%20that%20Celia,unknown%20chapter%20in%20Latin%20music. 

Ray Barretto. National Museum of African American History and Culture. (2022b, January 11). https://nmaahc.si.edu/latinx/ray-barretto 

Singing a “safe haven” for Marc Anthony. Stuttering Foundation: A Nonprofit Organization Helping Those Who Stutter. (2019, August 16). https://www.stutteringhelp.org/content/singing-safe-haven-marc-anthony#:~:text=With%20that%20name%20he%20had,namesake%2C%20the%20famous%20Mexican%20singer. 

Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.). Tito Puente. https://www.si.edu/spotlight/latin-music-legends-stamps/tito-puente#:~:text=Tito%20Puente%20was%20known%20for,and%20joy%20during%20his%20performances. 

U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.-a). Celia Cruz: Queen of salsa (U.S. National Park Service). National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/celia-cruz-queen-of-salsa.htm#:~:text=Listening%20to%20the%20Salsa%20Stories,of%20Celia%20Cruz%20on%20stage. 

U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.-b). La India: The Princess of Salsa (U.S. National Park Service). National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/la-india-the-princess-of-salsa.htm#:~:text=La%20India’s%20parents%20moved%20to,figure%20in%20Latin%20music%20history.