1. 2 Musicians-of-the-Month! Because we have two musicians-of-the-month, you do not need to remember the years of their lives (that might get confusing!) Note: if you are watching this powerpoint at home, the videos are not available. Sorry!

2. March Musician-of-the-Month Celia Cruz, The Queen of Salsa 1925-2003

3. Celia’s Childhood Celia was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1925. Celia was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1925. She grew up in a house with an extended family of fourteen people! She grew up in a house with an extended family of fourteen people! As the oldest child, she would sing lullabies to help the younger children to sleep. As the oldest child, she would sing lullabies to help the younger children to sleep. At 14 years old, she started singing in contests, and went on to study music theory, piano, and voice at the National Music Conservatory in Cuba. At 14 years old, she started singing in contests, and went on to study music theory, piano, and voice at the National Music Conservatory in Cuba. Write it down! --She was born in Cuba, and studied music at the National Music Conservatory in Cuba.

4. Celia as a Teenager At 14 years old, she started singing in contests, and went on to study music theory, piano, and voice at the National Music Conservatory in Cuba. At 14 years old, she started singing in contests, and went on to study music theory, piano, and voice at the National Music Conservatory in Cuba. Her parents wanted her to be a teacher, but they were eventually convinced by Celia’s voice that she should follow her dream to become a singer. Her parents wanted her to be a teacher, but they were eventually convinced by Celia’s voice that she should follow her dream to become a singer. Celia’s parents wanted her to be a teacher!

5. The Beginning of a Great Career… In the 1940s, Celia began to sing on Cuban radio programs. In the 1940s, Celia began to sing on Cuban radio programs. In 1950, she was hired as the lead singer for Cuba’s top dance band: La Sonora Matancera. She soon produced her first albums. In 1950, she was hired as the lead singer for Cuba’s top dance band: La Sonora Matancera. She soon produced her first albums.

6. The Cuban Revolution Celia, and the band left Cuba in 1960, because they disagreed with the new Cuban government. Celia, and the band left Cuba in 1960, because they disagreed with the new Cuban government. Cuba’s government (which has mostly been ruled by dictators in the 20 th century) has a long history of censoring, and even arresting musicians, especially those of African heritage. Cuba’s government (which has mostly been ruled by dictators in the 20 th century) has a long history of censoring, and even arresting musicians, especially those of African heritage. Celia went into self-exile, along with many other musicians, and thousands of Cubans. Her recordings were banned in Cuba. Celia went into self-exile, along with many other musicians, and thousands of Cubans. Her recordings were banned in Cuba. This person has been in the news lately, who is he? She left Cuba because she didn’t like the new gov’t. She lived in the U.S. for the rest of her life.

7. Moving Onward Celia and her band performed in Mexico for one year, then decided to move to New York City, which had a bustling Latin music scene! Celia and her band performed in Mexico for one year, then decided to move to New York City, which had a bustling Latin music scene! In the U.S., Celia became internationally famous, and helped make Cuban salsa music popular. In the U.S., Celia became internationally famous, and helped make Cuban salsa music popular. Her trademark “battle cry” at the beginning of every concert was “¡Azùcar!” (Sugar – represents Cuba and the diversity of Cuban culture) Her trademark “battle cry” at the beginning of every concert was “¡Azùcar!” (Sugar – represents Cuba and the diversity of Cuban culture)

8. Let’s Listen! Here is Celia Cruz singing “La Vida es un Carnaval” Here is Celia Cruz singing “La Vida es un Carnaval” It is a fun, upbeat song, telling us that even though life isn’t always fair, you’re never alone – Life is a carnival! It is a fun, upbeat song, telling us that even though life isn’t always fair, you’re never alone – Life is a carnival!

9. A Woman Among Men Celia was one of the only female musicians in the world of Afro- Latin music. She is most known for popularizing salsa music in the United States. Celia was one of the only female musicians in the world of Afro- Latin music. She is most known for popularizing salsa music in the United States. She released over 70 albums, and performed hundreds of concerts, often with other prominent Latin musicians. She earned 5 Grammy awards in her lifetime. She released over 70 albums, and performed hundreds of concerts, often with other prominent Latin musicians. She earned 5 Grammy awards in her lifetime. She passed away in 2003 from cancer. She had two funerals, one in Miami, and one in New York. Over 400,000 came to honor Celia’s life. She passed away in 2003 from cancer. She had two funerals, one in Miami, and one in New York. Over 400,000 came to honor Celia’s life. She helped make Cuban salsa music one of the most popular kinds of music in America!

10. Video: Roots of Rhythm Celia performed many concerts with another famous Latin musician – Tito Puente (our second musician-of-the-month!), as you will see in this video. (7 minutes) (7 minutes)

11. Musician-of-the-Month #2 ! Tito Puente, The King of Latin Music! Or : The King of Mambo! 1923-2000

12. Childhood Tito was born in New York City in 1923, his parents were from Puerto Rico. Tito was born in New York City in 1923, his parents were from Puerto Rico. As a child, he dreamed of becoming a dancer, but was injured in a bicycle accident, and could no longer dance. As a child, he dreamed of becoming a dancer, but was injured in a bicycle accident, and could no longer dance. He took piano lessons, and later studied percussion. He took piano lessons, and later studied percussion. Tito could play: timbale drums, xylophone, piano, and saxophone!

13. Early Adulthood Tito was drafted into the U.S. Navy, and spent 3 years fighting in World War II (he learned to play saxophone!) Tito was drafted into the U.S. Navy, and spent 3 years fighting in World War II (he learned to play saxophone!) After the war, he continued his music studies at the Julliard School of Music. After the war, he continued his music studies at the Julliard School of Music. 1948 – Tito forms his own band: “The Piccadilly Boys”, and becomes famous for his skill composing and playing the Timbale drums. 1948 – Tito forms his own band: “The Piccadilly Boys”, and becomes famous for his skill composing and playing the Timbale drums. In the early 1950s, he earned two nicknames: The King of Mambo, and the King of Latin Music!

14. The Mambo King Tito became internationally famous for bringing the mambo, the cha-cha, and salsa to the world. Tito became internationally famous for bringing the mambo, the cha-cha, and salsa to the world. He was so good at playing Afro-Cuban music, many people mistakenly thought he was from Cuba! He was so good at playing Afro-Cuban music, many people mistakenly thought he was from Cuba! Tito played himself in a two-part episode of The Simpsons ! He helped the “mambo” (a new style of Cuban dance music) become extremely popular in the U.S.!

15. A Legend Tito’s biggest contribution to American music was his success bringing together the sound of Cuban Salsa and American Jazz. Tito’s biggest contribution to American music was his success bringing together the sound of Cuban Salsa and American Jazz. In his lifetime, he recorded over 100 albums, won 6 Grammy awards In his lifetime, he recorded over 100 albums, won 6 Grammy awards He is most known for combining Cuban Salsa and American Jazz!

16. Cha-cha-cha! Let’s watch “Oye Como Va” by Tito Puente, live in Montreal! Let’s watch “Oye Como Va” by Tito Puente, live in Montreal! Oye Como Va has been re-recorded by many other musical groups, and is one of the most famous songs of the 20 th century. Oye Como Va has been re-recorded by many other musical groups, and is one of the most famous songs of the 20 th century. Lyrics: Lyrics: Oye como va Oye como va Listen to how it goes Listen to how it goes Mi ritmo, bueno pa gozar Mi ritmo, bueno pa gozar My rhythm, it’s good for My rhythm, it’s good for partying! partying!