dayme arocena-Cuban women in music
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Cuban Women in Music: Spotify Playlist Tribute to Women Artists – Part 1

ByYami Cabreraย (Cuban musicologist and Business Development Director of Havana Music Toursย and Musical Getaways)ย 

Cuban women are the inspiring soul of the great culture that Cuba preserves. Each sector of Cuban society and each bit of history contains the names of sovereign and courageous women who became examples for the nation and the world. That’s why we want to share this Spotify Playlist Tribute to honor the role of Cuban women in music during this Women’s History Month.ย 

There is an extended list of female figures who have triumphed in the Cuban and international music scene when it comes to musicians. They have made history through songs.

Many of these courageous women have become an example for younger generations in Cuban society. Among these musical legends it is possible to mention: Maria Teresa Vera, Omara Portuondo, Celia Cruz, Isolina Carrillo, Mercedita Valdรฉs, Elena Burke, Rita Montaner, Celeste Mendoza, Rosita Fornรฉs, and others.

Vanesa-formell-cuban-women-in-music

Vanesa Formell

Nowadays, Cuban culture enjoys an immense arsenal of talented young women who defend their musical roots anywhere. Cuban women musicians have positioned themselves among the best in the industry. Some of them are Daymรฉ Arocena, Eme Alfonso, Yissy Garcรญa, Brenda Navarrete, Luna Manzanares, Gretell Barreiro, Diana Fuentes, Telmary, Vanesa Formell, Aymรฉe Nuviola, La Reina y la Real, etc.

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#WomenInMusic #CubanWomen in Music,@DaymรฉArocena at #Havana #JazzPlazaFestival 2019 ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡บ #jazz #cubansinger #musicacubana #cubanmusic #womenhistorymonth #trending #sing

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What is in our Spotify Playlist Tribute to Women Artists?ย 

A long list of women’s names has become part of Cuban cultural and daily life due to their crucial role in music. We know that we can count thousands of songs dedicated to Cuban women, but we can also acknowledge a lot written, performed, and popularized by various women. In this Part 1 of our Spotify Playlist Tribute to Women Artists, we would like to mention essential classic songs written or popularized by women musicians in Cuba.

The following list mentions a few of our favorite classic songs written or popularized by Cuban women.

  • Veinte Aรฑos (written by Maria Teresa Vera, in 1935)
  • Damisela Encantadora (popularized by Esther Borja in 1935)
  • Dos Gardenias (written by Isolina Carrillo, in 1945)
  • Quimbara (popularized by Celia Cruz in 1974)
  • El Manisero (popularized by Rita Montaner, in 1927)
  • Yo soy el Punto Cubano (written by Celina Gonzรกlez, in 1956)
omara-portuondo-cuban-women-in-music

Omara Portuondo

Cuban women’s beauty and unique identity have also been a source of inspiration for multiple musicians. You can find lots of great songs dedicated to Cuban women. Many of them become representative compositions of Cuban music internationally. We decided to include a few of these songs on our Spotify Playlist Tribute to Women Artists Part 1.ย 

The following list mentions a few of our favorite classic songs dedicated to Cuban women.

  • Guantanamera (written by Joseรญto Fernรกndez, in 1929)
  • Longina (written by Manuel Corona, in 1918)
  • Marilรบ (title theme of the orchestra Los Van Van, between 1969 and 1970)
  • Marรญa Caracoles (written by Pello El Afrocรกn, in 1964)
  • Yolanda (written by Pablo Milanรฉs, in 1970)
  • El cuatro de Tula (written by Sergio Gonzalez Siaba of the Buena Vista Social Club, in 1996)

You can find our Spotify Playlist Tribute to Women Artists Part 1 here. Enjoy, and let us know your opinion about our selection on the bottom part of this blog post.ย 

If you want to know more about women in Cuban music, check out our blog, THE 10 MOST INFLUENTIAL FEMALE MUSICIANS IN CUBAN MUSIC FOR 2020.

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