SalsaBoston.com Message Board
SalsaBoston.com Message Board
Posted by Gil (24.34.121.132) on July 16, 2003 at 20:29:33:
I am undoubtedly saddened by the news of Celia Cruz's passing. For decades she entertained audiences all over the world with her unique voice, incredible stage presence and a personality that requires the invention of a new adjective to describe.
Since her early days with the Cuban equivalent of the Duke Ellington orchestra, La Sonora Matancera, her incredible talent was obvious. Even though I was not even close to being born, it does nto take a musical expert to listen to how well Celia's voice compliments the band's strong, brassy sound. When she left Cuba she teamed up with the Mambo King, the late great Tito Puente. With Puente Celia sang stimulating tributes to Afro-Cuban saints and joined the growing, New York, Fania family. It was in New York that she teamed up with the legendary Johnny Pacheco and began to enjoy immense commercial success. Her performances with the Fania All Stars were instrumental in building Celia's legendary status. If you can get your hands on some of those old Fania videos you can see why every generation that she has performed for has fallen for her charms.
Two years ago the company I work for had the pleasure of bringing Celia to Boston with Gilberto Santarosa. I cannot begin to describe how excited I was to meet and work with one of the greatest. She entertained us all with countless stories of the past and always had a big smile on her face. She radiated the warmth of a loving grandmother and treated you as if she had known you for years.
To quote Celia from "Bemba Colora," "Hermanos mios quisiera, ya que me voy a marchar. Que no vayan a olvidar, a esta humilde guarachera. Me he entregado entera. Y haci que brille la luz, de la dignidad del hombre por dios. Por dios no olviden mi nombre, yo me llamo Celia Cruz." For the non-Spanish speakers out there "Don't forget the name of this poor singer, I have given you all I got. Don't forget my name, my name is Celia Cruz."
Tito Puente once said "There will never be another Celia Cruz, she has everything." Rest in Peace Celia, you will never be forgotten. Azucar!