One of the most well-known Latin artists of the 20th century was Celia Cruz, whose real name was Ulsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso (21 October 1925 – 16 July 2003). Cruz gained notoriety in Cuba in the 1950s as a guaracha singer, gaining the moniker “La Guarachera de Cuba.” As a result of her contributions to Latin music in the ensuing decades, she rose to fame as the “Queen of Salsa” on a global scale.
She began her career in her native Cuba, where she rose to prominence as a vocalist with the popular musical group Sonora Matancera, a fifteen-year musical association (1950-1965). Cruz mastered a wide range of Afro-Cuban music styles, including guaracha, rumba, afro, son, and bolero, and recorded numerous singles for Seeco Records in these genres. Cruz left her native country in 1960, after the Cuban Revolution nationalized the music industry, becoming one of the symbols and spokespersons of the Cuban community in exile.
Cruz continued her career, first in Mexico and then in the United States, where she established her permanent residence. She recorded her signature song “Bemba colorá” with Tito Puente in the 1960s. In the 1970s, she signed for Fania Records and became strongly associated with the salsa genre, releasing hits such as “Quimbara”. She frequently performed live with Fania All-Stars and worked with Johnny Pacheco and Willie Colón. Cruz continued to release successful songs such as “La vida es un carnaval” and “La negra tiene tumbao” in the final years of her career.
Who is Celia Cruz’s husband Pedro Knight?
Pedro Knight, the late “Queen of Salsa” Celia Cruz’s devoted husband and former lead trumpet player for Cuba’s legendary band La Sonora Matancera, has died. He was 85. Knight died on Saturday at Methodist Hospital in Arcadia, according to hospital spokesman Tony Yang.
