Azucar Negra
by Cindy Naranjo, posted on 2009-03-01 20:49:05By Cindy Naranjo
A few weeks ago I was talking to my friend about how much he liked the movie “El Cantante” and how it really got him into salsa. Color me surprised when I learned he had never heard of Celia Cruz. WHAT?! I was trying to explain to him everything I know about her since I grew up listening to her and count her as one of the flyest divas of all time. I realized that a lot of people only know her for one or two party songs (“Carnaval”, for instance), but don’t know much else about her. Therefore, I decided to drop some Azucar Negra (as she was known in a lot of circles) knowledge on him (and you!).
Cursula Hilaria Celia Caridad Cruz Alfonso (gotta love us Latinos with our many, many names!) was born in Havana, Cuba on October 21, 1925. As a teenager, she sang in cabarets and on radio shows, spreading her voz as much as possible. In 1950, her first breakthrough came as lead singer of the famous orchestra Sonora Mantacera (ask your mama about them!).
After Fidel Castro took over Cuba, Celia and her husband, Pedro Knight (whom she lovingly referred to as her “Bolita de Nieve” because of his white hair…awwwww!), refused to return to their homeland and became U.S. citizens instead.
Celia and Tito Puente (a.k.a. “El Rey del Timbal”) put out a ton of albums together, but she later became part of the “Fania All Stars” along con el famoso salsero, Johnny Pacheco. Thanks to their union and mounting popularity, they travelled all around the world and rocked the stage from England to Zaire. Throughout the years, she constantly performed on stage and TV. with newer, younger acts as well as her old pals, the Sonora Mantacera. She won a Grammy in 1990, co-starred in “The Mambo Kings” in 1992 (con el delicioso Antonio Banderas) and received the “National Medal of Arts” in 1994. Obviously, our girl knew how to multi-task!
On July 16, 2003, the powerhouse known as Celia Cruz passed away in her home from a cancerous brain tumor. Her body was taken to Miami for a public viewing, where more than 200,000 of her loyal Floridian fans paid their respects. She was later transported to New York where tens of thousands gathered to send their Celia off in song. Cuban soil that she had saved for years was used in her burial. I remember watching all of the events unfold on the news and crying my eyes out. It was sad that a woman who had such power and could offer so much to the future, passed away so soon. I have loved her since I was a baby and continue to listen to her music (especially her Sonora Mantacera stuff) like it just came out. Her joy of life was contagious and if you ever see any old videos of her in her sassy outfits and outrageous wigs, you can just tell she LOVED living. Gracias, Celia, por todo!
Miren a Victor Manuelle’s acapella tribute to Celia at her funeral:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xopqoxYq2SE
Photo Courtesy of celebritydeath.wordpress.com
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