Cruz, Celia (1924—)
Cruz, Celia (1924—)
Cuban singer. Born in 1924 in Havana; studied at the Conservatory of Music; married Pedro Knight (her director and manager), in 1962; defected to the United States.
Destined to be known as the "Queen of Salsa," Celia Cruz was born in Havana in 1924. Her singing career began in the 1940s on local radio stations, and she studied at the Conservatory of Music. From 1950 to 1965, as the lead singer with La Sonora Matancera, the most popular orchestra in Cuba, Cruz toured, made recordings, and headlined with the group at The Tropicana, a famed nightclub in Havana. Among her scores of hit songs were "Bemba Colora," "del Cocoye," "Yerbero," "Moderno," and "Burundanga" (which went gold in 1957).
In 1962, Cruz married her music director and manager, Pedro Knight. She then defected to the United States where she joined Tito Puente, the "King of Latin Swing," in 1966. Cruz toured the country with his orchestra. In 1974, she won a Grammy for Celia and Johnny, an album that she recorded with the orchestra of Johnny Pacheco. Celia-Ray-Adalberto-Tremendous Trio!, De Nuevo, and The Winners (with Willie Colon) are among her other popular albums. Cruz has been highly regarded for her improvisation.