Candita Batista

Candita Batista (October 3, 1916 – April 1, 2016) was a Cuban singer, known internationally as an exponent of Afro-Caribbean music. In the course of her career she travelled worldwide[1] and appeared with Nat King Cole, Charles Aznavour, Lola Flores and other stars.[2]

Candita Batista
Born(1916-10-03)October 3, 1916
Camagüey
OriginCuba
DiedApril 1, 2016(2016-04-01) (aged 99)
Camagüey
GenresAfro-Caribbean music
Occupation(s)Singer

Career

She was born in Camagüey, and began her musical career in 1932, aged 16, becoming the first woman in the city to join a male band;[3] in 1937, she moved to Havana. In 1941, she travelled with her band to Mexico City, where she appeared at the Teatro Lirico. In 1948, she toured Latin America as part of a group, visiting Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Colombia. During this period she had to struggle against racism.[4]

In 1959 she toured Europe, appearing in front of King Farouk of Egypt in a concert in Rome. She spent eleven years in Europe before returning to Cuba. She continued to sing professionally up to the age of 94.[5] Towards the end of her career, she founded the Mokekeré Orchestra.

She won numerous awards, including Hija Ilustre de la Provincia de Camagüey (Illustrious Daughter of the Province of Camagüey, the Alejo Carpentier Medal, and the Distinción por la Cultura Nacional. In 2011, she received a special award for lifetime achievement from the Association of Musicians of the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC).[6] She died in hospital in her home town of Camagüey, aged 99.

In 2003, she was the subject of a short documentary film, Candita Batista, la vedette negra de Cuba (26 minutes), made by Manuel Jorge Pérez[7]

References
  1. "CANDITA BATISTA". Portal Cultural Principe. Archived from the original on 13 June 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  2. Monica Suma (27 May 2016). "MY CUBA DIARIES: MEETING CANDITA BATISTA". Insight Cuba. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  3. "Homenaje en Camagüey a la vedette Candida Batista". ACN Digital (in Spanish). 12 October 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  4. "Famous Cuban vedette to be distinguished". Cuba Headlines. 5 October 2010. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  5. "Fallece Candita Batista, la "vedette negra" de Cuba". Marti (in Spanish). April 3, 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  6. "Candita Batista Receives Award for her Artistic Labour". Radio Cadena Agramonte. 1 February 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  7. Candita Batista, la vedette negra de Cuba, in der Internet Movie Database, retrieved 13 May 2014.
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