Celia Cruz - Azuuucar

Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2003 06:46:19 GMT
Newsgroups: soc.culture.cuba
Size: 3,360 bytes

-------------- Brain tumor claims Latin music icon Cruz By Ramiro Burr San Antonio Express-News Web Posted : 07/17/2003 12:00 AM The Queen of Salsa may never have realized her dream of returning to
her homeland, but Celia Cruz's extended stay in her adopted country was a
blessing to the millions of fans worldwide who delighted in her exuberant,
larger-than-life persona. Born in Havana, Cruz died Wednesday of a brain tumor at her home in
Fort Lee, N.J. She was 78. Her publicist, Blanca Lasalle, said she observed her 41st wedding
anniversary Monday. Her husband, Pedro Knight, was at her side when she
died. Cruz gained fame in the 1950s as part of the Afro-Cuban group, La
Sonora Matancera. In 1960, she, like many refugees, fled Fidel Castro's
government, eventually settling in Miami. Working from the United States as a base, Cruz brought Latin music to
a wider audience and became known as the Queen of Salsa and the Queen of
Mambo. Her passing was mourned across the Latin music world. "She was not only a celebrity but a great person," said Manolo
Gonzalez, senior VP of promotions for Univision Music Group, which has a
branch in San Antonio. "She was a super-important and positive figure not
only for the music industry but for all of us Cubans who had to leave our
country." In Los Angeles, officials from the National and the Latin Association
of Recording Arts and Sciences issued a statement noting Cruz's riveting
stage presence. "One of Latin music's most respected and most revered vocalists, Celia
Cruz was an icon of salsa, tropical and Latin jazz music," the statement
read. Cruz "brought the world to its dancing feet with her visceral vocals,
infectious energy, and vibrant smile." Jorge Roque, local San Antonio Cuban band leader, remembered Cruz for
her easygoing nature. "I met her several times at my mom's house in Miami," he said. "My mom
used to belong to the Asociación de Periodistas (journalists association)
and Celia came over several times. She was wonderful, a bundle of joy, the
kind of person you feel good being around." Cruz was also known for her colorful cry of "Azuucar!" during her
performances. Roque said the story behind Cruz's use of the word azucar (sugar)
originated years ago when Cruz was at a restaurant and ordered Cuban coffee. "Everyone knows that Cuban coffee is so strong, you have to have sugar
in it," he said. "So anyway, the waitress asked her 'Do you want sugar with
that?' Of course, it was a useless question so Celia yelled, 'Azuuucar!'
Ever since then, 'Azuuucar!' stayed with her and became her standard yell." In a November 2001 interview, Cruz talked about accomplishing all her
professional goals: winning multiple Grammy awards, an honorary degree from
Yale and acting credits including "The Mambo Kings" and "The Pérez Family." "I don't lack anything. I've done many things that have made me feel
great, but I think I should keep going," she said. "There are still people
who admire me. Little children shout 'Azuuucar!' at me. I won't retire from
the stage until God says to." Cruz, who recorded more than 70 albums, won a Grammy this year for
best salsa album for "La Negra Tiene Tumbao." 07/17/2003
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