As part of the Latin Grammy Foundation’s fundraiser to honor the legacy of Celia Cruz, including Ivy Queen, Tito Nieves, Amy Nuviola, Albita and Gent de Zo Tropical music royalty, including Na, performed for nearly three hours.
The private event, held on Saturday (December 14) at the Miami-area home of Loud and Live founder and CEO Nelson Albareda and his wife Elena Albareda, not only paid tribute to the late salsa and tropical music ” Queen” tribute but raises funds for the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, with all proceeds going to the foundation’s scholarships, grants and educational programs for young musicians.
Backed by the Celia Cruz All-Star Band, star after star took to the outdoor stage to perform songs that Cruz has become popular throughout his prolific career. Albita opened the night with “Que le den candela,” in which she improvised a tirade about Cruz. Gente De Zona walked into the audience and sang “La Negra Tiene Tumbao”; Aymee Nuviola improvised “Bemba Colorá;” young Christian Alicea and Peter Nieto performed a captivating performance A dazzling duet version of “Toro Mata”; reggae queen Ivy Queen and pianist Arthur Hanlon turn Cruz’s farewell song “Yo Viviré” into a funk/Latin jam party.
Other performers include Spanish singer Beatriz Luengo, Nicaraguan singer Luis Enrique, Jorge Alberto El Canario, Tito Nieves, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Lenier, Lena Bruke, Brenda Navarrete, Carmen de León and dancer Siury. Many interspersed their performances with personal memories of Cruz and the impact she had on so many people’s lives, big and small.
“Celia Cruz was the cornerstone of the soundtrack of my life,” said Albareda, who worked in the RMM offices where Cruz was signed as a teenager. It was there that he met young Omer Pardillo, who worked in marketing and later became Cruz’s manager. Cruz passed away in 2003 at the age of 77, leaving her estate in his charge.
As steward of Cruz’s legacy, Padillo is directing the many events and celebrations surrounding the centennial of Cruz’s birth in 2025. Leah Cruz’s Birth Legacy Scholarship to benefit the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation.
To date, the foundation has donated more than $10 million to various programs and provided scholarships to 427 students. Some of these students performed on Saturday night as part of an impressive all-student group.
In addition to the performance, the evening was filled with poignant moments, including memories from host Enrique Santos, who serves as President/Chief Cultural Officer of iHeart Latino and embodies Cruz’s spirit and joie de vivre. Santos said a downpour in Miami caused the cancellation of an outdoor music festival where Cruz was scheduled to perform. Cruz wasn’t worried when organizers came backstage and told her she could cancel because the stage was wet and muddy. “Is there anyone else in the audience?” she asked. “In that case, I’ll perform,” she said firmly, then walked onto the stage.
