Selina Gonsales Samora ( Spanish: Celina González Zamora ; March 16, 1929 , Jovelianos , Matanzas , Cuba - February 4, 2015 , Havana [3] ) - Cuban singer, author and performer of music in the traditional style of “musica campesina” ( isp. Mús campusina) . Best known as co-author (along with her husband and partner Reutilio Dominguez, 1921 - 1971 ) of the song " A Santa Bárbara ", which became widely known both by Selina Gonzalez herself and by Celia Cruz . Also known as co-author (also with Reutilio Dominguez) of the song " Yo soy el punto cubano ".
Selina Gonzalez Celina gonzález | |
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Selina Gonzalez during the Cuba Jam Concert Party May 21, 2001 | |
basic information | |
Full name | Selina Gonzalez Zamora |
Date of Birth | |
Place of Birth | Jovelanos , Matanzas Province , Cuba |
Date of death | |
Place of death | Havana , Cuba |
A country | Cuba |
Professions | singer |
Instruments | |
Labels | Discos Meca Suaritos , Puchito Records , |
- This person has a spanish surname; here Gonzalez is the surname of the father, Zamora is the surname of the mother.
Biography
She was born in the province of Matanzas, then moved with her family to Santiago de Cuba . She began performing with various groups, in 1943 she met Reutilio Dominguez. Together they began to perform in Santiago de Cuba, and in 1947 made their debut on the radio station CMKR. In 1948, singer Nico Sakito invited them to Havana , to the local radio station Radio Cadena Suaritos , known for representing the most “African” music in Cuba, and on weekends broadcast religious chants performed by, among others, Celia Cruz and Mercedes Valdez . For their debut performance, Selina González and Reutilio Dominguez wrote “ A Santa Bárbara ” (which was then called Que viva Changó ). This composition linked the previously separated style of guahir and African music.
The duet’s success on Radio “ Radio Cadena Suaritos ” contributed to their imminent invitation to the RHC , one of the country's most prestigious radio stations, and they soon became known throughout Cuba. They also visited New York and the Dominican Republic , later Colombia and Venezuela . In Cuba, two full-length films were shot about them, " Rincón Criollo " and " Bella la Salvaje "; they were invited to various radio stations and television; they sang in the most famous cabaret in Havana, including the most prestigious Cuban cabaret Tropicana.
In 1964, the couple broke up, and in 1971, Reutilio Dominguez died. From 1964 to 1980, Selina Gonzalez gave solo performances, after that she performed with her son, Lazaro Reutilio.
In 1980 she received the Disco de Plata award for the album Celina , in 1984 the state prize Vanguardia Nacional and (in the same year) the prize to the best singer at the festival in Cali . In 1988, Selina Gonzalez recorded for the BBC . In 2004, she was awarded the UNESCO Golden Picasso Medal. In 2001, Selina was nominated for a Grammy Award for the album Cincuenta años ... como una reina , and although she did not receive the award, the same album won the Cubadisco Award. [4]
Discography
Series | Title | Label |
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LS-103 | A Santa Bárbara: Con su Conjunto Típico | Discos Meca Suaritos |
LS-108 | Éxitos de Celina y Reutilio | Discos Meca Suaritos |
LS-110 | Fiesta santera | Discos Meca Suaritos |
LS-115 | Quiero Bailar con Celina | Discos Meca Suaritos |
LS-123 | Fiesta Santera Vol.2 | Discos Meca Suaritos |
LD-4075 | Yo Soy El Punto Cubano | Areito |
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 BNF ID : 2011 open data platform .
- ↑ 1 2 Discogs - 2000.
- ↑ Cuban Country Queen Celina Gonzalez Dead at 85 | Billboard
- ↑ Giro, Radamés 2007. Diccionario enciclopédico de la música en Cuba . La Habana. vol 2, s. 164.