Michael Buckner | Frazer Harrison, Getty Images Now this is a collaboration that…
Afro-Cuban Jazz Singer Graciela Perez-Grillo Dead at 94
- Posted on Apr 8th 2010 12:15PM by Emily Tan
Afro-Cuban jazz singer Graciela Perez-Grillo, aka Graciela Perez-Gutierrez, died Wednesday. The 94-year-old was reportedly in the hospital for several weeks and died from natural causes.
Known as the "First Lady of Latin Jazz," Perez-Grillo is best known for songs like 'This Is Graciela' and 'That's the Way I Am,' and paved the way for Hispanic pop stars like Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and Celia Cruz. "[Perez-Grillo] was where it all started," Bobby Sanabria, who played on three of Perez-Grillo's records, told the NY Daily News. "Without her, there is no Celia Cruz or La Lupe or any of the stars today."
The Havana-born Perez-Grillo started her career playing bass and singing with the all-female Orquestra Anacaona. In 1942, she sang with the Afro-Cuban orchestra, which was led by her stepbrother Machito, in New York, making her the first woman to ever lead a tropical band of that renown. Over the course of her career, Perez-Grillo received numerous Grammy nods.
Cuban percussionist Candido Camero told El Nuevo Herald that Perez-Grillo is irreplaceable. "I don't believe that anyone could take the place of the Queen of Afro-Cuban Jazz, my friend, my sister Graciela Perez," he said.
Known as the "First Lady of Latin Jazz," Perez-Grillo is best known for songs like 'This Is Graciela' and 'That's the Way I Am,' and paved the way for Hispanic pop stars like Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and Celia Cruz. "[Perez-Grillo] was where it all started," Bobby Sanabria, who played on three of Perez-Grillo's records, told the NY Daily News. "Without her, there is no Celia Cruz or La Lupe or any of the stars today."
The Havana-born Perez-Grillo started her career playing bass and singing with the all-female Orquestra Anacaona. In 1942, she sang with the Afro-Cuban orchestra, which was led by her stepbrother Machito, in New York, making her the first woman to ever lead a tropical band of that renown. Over the course of her career, Perez-Grillo received numerous Grammy nods.
Cuban percussionist Candido Camero told El Nuevo Herald that Perez-Grillo is irreplaceable. "I don't believe that anyone could take the place of the Queen of Afro-Cuban Jazz, my friend, my sister Graciela Perez," he said.
All the AOL Music info you want to know
Birdman Welcomes Paris Hilton to Cash…
The BoomboxJason Merritt | Bryan Bedder, Getty Images Some hungry rappers are probably angry…
Toby Keith Returns to Help Family,…
The BootRick Diamond, Getty Images Toby Keith had just flown from Oklahoma to Nashville…
Kenny Chesney Joins Music and Memory…
The BootKevork Djansezian, Getty Images Kenny Chesney has joined a campaign to supply…
