Celia Cruz is also Cuba.

Sometimes I wonder when I first heard about Celia Cruz; but she always seems to have grown up with that Cuban flavor when listening to a son montuno, a guaracha or a sauce in that unique voice …

It hurt me that for a long time in Cuba her compositions stopped being broadcast due to the fact of having emigrated to the United States, unfortunately the history of emigration affects the pages of a country’s decisions. Luckily, this stage is almost over, now only the absence of her discography remains in the national markets.

I remember the stories of when the Queen of Salsa or Guarachera of Cuba lived in Havana, in the Santo Suárez neighborhood: on Cuban soil she grew up, prepared to be a literature teacher, taught for some years; but her vocation was behind the microphones.

My grandfather says that she started her career after winning a talent show known as “Tea Time.” He would present it to the public who later heard it on Cuban radio or at the Tropicana nightclub. She was capable of flooding the stage in the first melody, the poster of the Queen of Salsa or Guarachera won it by the strength and vigor that she imposed on her performances. The Matanzas sonora, a school for many Cuban artists of great importance, was like her her home in 1950, when she joined the band as vocalist. That was the moment of her highest splendor in Cuban territory.

July 1960 is the date that marked a new course, as Celia decided to settle in the United States. The clumsy and obtuse saw this situation as a disrespect for her ideals; something that did not prevent her from continuing to shine, winning the admiration of many of her, both in Cuba and abroad.

Her musical production continued, and with great force. Celia Cruz went on to record about 50 albums, some of them accompanied by great salseros, she participated in the movie “Los reyes del mambo” and in several Mexican soap operas.

Celia signed in the 70s with the Masucci record company VAYA (Fania Subsidiary), released her album “Celia & Johnny” in 1974 with Johnny Pacheco, obtained a gold record and joined the Fania All Stars orchestra. This was the opportunity she had to visit the UK, France and Zaire.

Those who knew her say that she always longed for her island, that she was intelligent and spiritual, she liked to rest in a robe and slippers, and that she was an excellent cook. From the United States she maintained her ties with her family and liked to help others. For me she was that mixture of hers: a spicy, simple, vivacious and above all Cuban woman …

On Monday, October 21, 2013, Google dedicated her “her doodle” to her, as a tribute to her 88-year birth anniversary, with her characteristic feathers and her usual hairstyle. This was a great message to tell the world that art is universal.

Celia Cruz died on July 16, 2003, at the age of 78, in her home in New Jersey, as a result of brain cancer; but her music turns her over and over into a Cuban of rhythm, of strength, of impetus …

Celia will forever remain Cuba.