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Omara PortuondoSinger
Date of Birth: 10.1930Год
Country:  Cuba |
Content:
- Early Life and Family
- Early Career in Show Business
- Solo Career Breakthrough
- International Recognition with Buena Vista Social Club
- Distinctions and Accolades
- - Grammy Award for Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album (2000)
Early Life and Family
Omara Portuondo was born in October 1930 in the Havana neighborhood of Cayo Hueso. Her father, a successful baseball player, was an early emigrant to the United States. Her mother came from a wealthy Spanish family, and her marriage to a black baseball player caused a scandal within the family. Omara had two sisters. With her parents being musically inclined, she developed a passion for singing from a young age.
Early Career in Show Business
In 1945, Omara Portuondo began her artistic career as a dancer at the famous Havana nightclub Tropicana. She later formed a singing duo with her sister, Haydee, called Loquibambla Swing. In 1952, the sisters teamed up with Elena Burke, Moraima Secada, and Aida Diestro to form Cuarteto las d'Aida, which became highly successful and toured the United States, even performing with Nat King Cole.
Solo Career Breakthrough
In 1959, Omara Portuondo recorded her first solo album, "Magia Negra." She continued to perform with Cuarteto las d'Aida until her sister emigrated to the US in 1961. It was not until 1967 that Omara left the band and embarked on her solo career. She recorded numerous albums and gained the opportunity to tour internationally.
International Recognition with Buena Vista Social Club
Omara Portuondo achieved international recognition after participating in Ry Cooder's album "Buena Vista Social Club" in 1997. The subsequent documentary film by Wim Wenders in 1998 brought her and her fellow musicians global fame. This led to further albums, including "Buena Vista Social Club Presents Omara Portuondo" (2000) and "Flor de Amor" (2004).
Distinctions and Accolades
In 2020, Omara Portuondo was awarded the Hero of Labor of the Republic of Cuba. She has received numerous other awards and recognitions for her contributions to music, including:
- Grammy Award for Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album (2000)
- Latin Grammy Award for Best Traditional Tropical Album (2005)- Latin Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement (2009)
