A previously unheard audio reel capturing a Celia Cruz concert at a legendary bar in the United States will be unveiled on May 24. The recording was discovered last year by Albertico Rodríguez, a South Florida radio host, while cleaning his closet. Rodríguez brought the tape to Omer Pardillo Cid, the executor of Cruz’s estate, and Nelson Albareda, owner of Loud and Live, the company representing the legacy of the "Cuban Queen of Salsa."
The recording features a live performance at the now-defunct Casanova Club in Miami, believed to be from 1986 or 1987, according to the reel’s label. After digitizing the tape, the team was thrilled to find the audio quality superb.
“I didn’t cry, but I was clearly moved,” Albareda told Billboard magazine. Albareda, who worked with Cruz as a young assistant when he started in the music industry over three decades ago, was particularly excited. “Not only is the recording quality excellent, but it also includes hits like ‘Quimbara’,” he revealed.
The entire recording will be available from May 24 in a digital album titled “En Vivo: 100 Años de Azúcar”, marking the beginning of the centennial celebration of Celia Cruz's birth. The album will feature nine tracks, including ‘Quimbara’, and will come with a photo book and exclusive, frameable photos of Cruz.
Celia Cruz Alfonso was born on October 21, 1925, in Cuba and passed away on July 16, 2003, in the United States due to a brain tumor. Known as the “Queen of Salsa,” she brought her music to global audiences with the Fania All-Stars, earning numerous accolades, including multiple platinum and gold records, three Grammy Awards, four Latin Grammy Awards, the Presidential Medal of Arts, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Frequently Asked Questions about Celia Cruz’s Rare Recording
Here are some common questions and answers about the newly discovered Celia Cruz recording and its significance to her legacy.
What is special about this Celia Cruz recording?
The recording is a previously unheard live performance at the Casanova Club in Miami from the late 1980s, featuring high-quality audio and iconic hits like ‘Quimbara’.
When will the recording be available to the public?
The recording will be released on May 24 in a digital album titled “En Vivo: 100 Años de Azúcar.”
Who discovered the recording?
The recording was discovered by South Florida radio host Albertico Rodríguez while cleaning his closet last year.
What additional content will the album include?
The album will feature nine tracks and come with a photo book and exclusive, frameable photos of Celia Cruz.