Celia Cruz (1925 - 2003) - Find A Grave Memorial

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Celia Cruz

Birth:	Oct. 21, 1925, Cuba
Death:	Jul. 16, 2003, USA
Celebrated Cuban Salsa Singer. Born one of 14 Children in the small village of Barrio Santra Suarez, Havana, Cruz was drawn to music at an early age. She would sing for tourist and also sing for her younger brothers and sisters. Cruz sang at many school productions and many neighborhood gatherings. Taken to cabarets and nightclubs by an aunt, she was introduced to the world of music. With the encouragement of a cousin, Cruz began to enter and win many local talent shows. Although her father wanted her to become a teacher, the music kept calling to her. Her first break came in 1950 when she joined the band La Sonora Matancera. Cruz remained with the group for 15 years, touring thoughout the world. She married the band's trumpet player Pedro Knight on July 14, 1962. With Fidel Castro taking control of Cuba in 1960, Cruz and Knight refused to return to Cuba and became citizens of the United States and settled in NewYork. Knight became Cruz's Manager in 1965, a position he held till the mid 1990s when he began to devote his attention to serving as her musical director and conductor of her band. Leaving La Sonora Matancera band in 1965, Cruz went on to pursue her solo career with a band formed for her by Tito Puente. Although she released eight albums, the collaboration failed to achieve commercial success. Cruz and Puente resumed their partnership with a special appearance at the Grammy award ceremonies in 1987. Signed by Vaya the sister label of Fania, Cruz recorded with Oscar D'Leon, Cheo Feliciano and Hector Rodriguez in the mid 1960s. Cruz's first success after leaving La Sonora Matancera was in 1974 when she recorded a duo record with Johnny Pacheco which was called simply "Celia and Johnny." In 1992 she made her movie debut in "Mambo Kings." She also appeared in The Perez Family and she sang a duet version of "Loco De Amor" in the movie "Something Wild" in 1998. Cruz was famous around the world and dubbed "The Queen Of Salsa." (bio by: Annette(Chavie) Rivera) Cause of death: Brain tumor Search Amazon for Celia Cruz

Burial: Woodlawn Cemetery Bronx Bronx County New York, USA Plot: Section: Walnut GPS (lat/lon): 40.88627, -73.87342
Maintained by: Find A Grave Originally Created by: Annette(Chavie) Rivera Record added: Jul 16, 2003 Find A Grave Memorial# 7691977