Identity elements
Reference code
CHC5070
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Collection
Title
Celia Cruz Collection
Date(s)
- 1948-2008 (Creation)
Extent
6 Boxes
Name of creator
Biographical history
Celia Cruz (1925-2003) migrated to the U.S. in 1960 after having had an important career in Cuba with the group La Sonora Matancera. She never returned to Cuba and died in New York in July 2003. Celia was considered "the Queen of Latin Music" and dominated the Latin music scene for almost fifty years. Her collaborations with Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco, Willy Colón and the Fania All Stars in New York during the 1970s sparked an interest in salsa among Anglo and European audiences all over the world. She recorded more than 70albums during her career, received over 100 awards, and appeared in 10 movies. She recorded 20 gold and eight platinum albums and received three honorary degrees from Yale University, Florida International University, and the University of Miami, in recognition of her extraordinary musical talent.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
The collection documents the professional activities of the Cuban singer Celia Cruz from the 1950s until 2003. The bulk of materials in this collection include photographs documenting Celia Cruz's career in Cuba, the U.S. and internationally. The collection also contains an important number of photographs and newspaper clippings about Celia Cruz’s funeral in July 2003. The materials include both old and recent newspaper clippings, as well as posters, magazines, invitations, correspondence, signed postcards, awards, and uncorrected page proofs for the book. The collection also contains important music scores: the instrumental parts for the arrangements of some of Cruz's major hits, written by some of the most important arrangers in Latin music, and one published music score. Additionally, the collection includes an array of items like a shoe, cassette tapes, a fan, CDs and a DVD.
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
This collection is open for research.
Physical access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Requests to publish or display materials from this collection require written permission from the rights owner. Please, contact chc@miami.edu for more information.
Languages of the material
- English
- Spanish
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Generated finding aid
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Gift of Omer Pardillo-Cid, 2002.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Clippings have continually been added to the collection.
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
Notes element
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Sources used
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Cruz, Celia (Creator)