The unforgettable Celia, the ‘Queen of Salsa’ and the ‘Guarachera of Cuba,’ better known artistically, passed away on July 16, 2003, but she still feels present, close, with her voice and power in the hearts of many generations.
Today, there is a deeply inspired song, ‘A Celia,’ by Cuban singer-songwriter and pianist Lena Burke, featuring special appearances by salsa legends Gilberto Santa Rosa, José Alberto ‘El Canario,’ La India, and Víctor Manuelle.
‘They all have their own history with Celia.’
El Canario, for example, had a close friendship with her and sang and recorded with her several times.
Gilberto, a great friend, knows my grandmother’s music—he went to see Mami perform in Venezuela and later here. I’ve recorded with Gilbertito, so of course he had to be part of this.
Master Gonzalo Rubalcaba, since we wanted him to play the piano because when Gonzalo plays, it reaches a marvelous and celestial level, so in this case, I’m not the one doing it, and the song has truly turned out wonderfully.
Master Cucco Peña arranged the brass spectacularly. Producing the track alongside the renowned and multi-award-winning mixing engineer and producer Carlos Álvarez, what more could I ask for in life?’
In this testament of love for the greatest and most influential artist in Latin music, our beloved Celia Cruz, the Latin GRAMMY winner emphasizes how important the recording locations were.
‘At Criteria Recording Studios and Crescent Moon Studios, thanks to Emilio Estefan, who made his facilities available for La India’s participation. It was also recorded in Puerto Rico, New York, and Miami, with musicians from all over, but keeping in mind the three islands—Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic—with the guests we have.
When Omer Pardillo heard the song, he loved it. In fact, he said, ‘I wasn’t expecting something like this.’ He allowed me to use Celia’s ‘azúcar.’ Let’s say he lent it to me because when she says that, complete happiness arrives in that moment.’
Her grandmother, the renowned performer Elena Burke, ‘La Señora Sentimiento,’ was a companion and close friend of Celia Cruz in the group Las Mulatas de Fuego at the start of their careers.
‘They had a friendship that lasted many years.’
‘In the photo at home and in other pictures, they look so young—you wouldn’t even recognize them. They were both so slim back then,’ (laughs) ‘and they have so many stories together.
Omer told me that one day Celia went out to sing wearing my grandmother’s shoes because hers broke, and the worst part was that they were too big for her.
My grandmother used to listen to Celia sing in Cuba, even though it was forbidden, and Celia did the same in her home in New York. Omer told me that too.
I had the fortune of meeting her when I arrived in Miami. She came to see my mom perform several times, and I was the pianist at the time. But because I was so shy,’ (that’s how I met Lena, very shy) ‘I never asked for a photo. But I did hug her, and I carry her in my heart forever,’ says the artist with deep nostalgia.
‘A Celia’—that’s where the magic of what will be the beautiful singer-songwriter’s new production for next year lies, as she shines in her own light.
‘Let’s say we’ve already experienced the first baby with ‘A Celia.’ It’s also been a rebirth in my life and in many aspects of my career because I’m independent now, with my own record label. There are so many new things, plus so much support from so many wonderful people who, in this case, adore Celia. This song has such beautiful ingredients and so many coincidences in life. Celia, we thank you.’
By Rossana Azuero – RossanaAzu@aol.com
