Wendy Angulo Productions
“When opportunity presents itself, grab it. Hold on tight and don’t let go.”~ Celia Cruz, Singer, Actress, born October 21, 1925 in Havana. Cuba.
From an early age Celia Cruz was a constant in my household, my Abuelita will listened to her songs while cleaning, cooking or simply when she needed to unwind. I was in charge of having the LPs ready to play when Abuelita was in the kitchen or ready to mop the floors, she will dance to every tune and then the stories of her meeting Celia at a party with my Abuelo or how much she loved certain song or how “Sonora Matancera” (Celia’s group) was one of the greatest group in the history of salsa will unfold.
Celia Cruz was always a symbol of Happiness and “Fiesta” in my house.
Celia Cruz began her career when she was a teenager and her aunt will take her to the cabarets in Cuba to sing and perform, from there she started singing at Cuba’s radio stations and was the winner of a cake for her performance of the tango song “Nostalgias” at “La Hora del Te” radio broadcast, after that she began recording her music in Venezuela.
She joined the “Sonora Matancera” and met her husband Pedro Knight who was also a member.
When Fidel Castro assumed control of Cuba in 1959 Celia and her husband decide not to return to their homeland and became US Citizens.
In the 60’s she associated with Tito Puente and started making music together. Through this association she headlined a concert at famous Carnegie Hall. In the 70’s she became a member of the Fania All Stars which gave her the opportunity to tour the world with her music.
She earned numerous music awards : Grammys, Billboards, Premios Lo Nuestro and the National Medal of Arts awarded by President Bill Clinton.
The one thing I admire of Celia was her ability to always smile and the joy she spread all the time, even when sick. She battled cancer for a long time and died of brain cancer in 2003.
As I said previously Celia Cruz is a symbol of Happiness and her spirit and musical legacy lives on.
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