The ‘First Lady of Afro-Cuban Jazz’ Graciela passes away at 94

Last Wednesday, April 7, 2010, the legendary First Lady of Afro-Cuban Jazz Graciela passed away at the respectable age of 94 in a room of the Presbyterian Hospital in New York City (U.S.A.) at 7:58 a.m. Her dear friend Mappy Torres stood at her side when she died of renal and pulmonary failure. 

 In a so called ‘man’s world’ Graciela, who was a pioneer in music and a Black Cuban woman, had opened the door for all of those who followed her. Graciela was known for her risque and sassy stage presence, her sexy double entries, and for her tremendous voice. As a member of the world renowned orchestra ‘Machito and the Afro-Cubans’ she travelled around together with her foster brother Machito (Frank Grillo) and her brother-in-law Mario Bauza (originator of the genre Afro Cuban Jazz). Her recorded singing career lasted 77 years. Some of her biggest hits include ‘Noche de Ronda’, ‘Novio Mio’, and ‘Si,Si,No,No’. 

Graciela was born in Havana (Cuba) in August 23, 1915. At age 5 she was christened as a singer by the Trova singer/composer Maria Teresa Vega, and her older foster brother Machito taught her to sing. In 1933 she started her singing career (at age 17) with the most popular of female orchestras Anacanoa, which was comprised of 10 sisters from the Castro family. For 10 years she travelled to Latin America, New York, Paris and the Caribbean with them. The record label RCA/Victor gave them the opportunity to debute with records. The record company travelled to Cuba between 1936 and 1937 to record several 78 records with Anacanoa. In 1943 Mario Bauza summoned Graciela to come and take over the place of Machito (he was drafted into the army) and join the orchestra as lead singer until his return in 1944.  From then on the 3 of them shared the stage together until they split in 1975. They were on the top of the charts for 32 years. Machito's Orquestra was not only the one to beat, but to emulate as well. They were the leaders in the period in which the Palladium was at its prime. From 1946 until its closing the Palladium in New York was the place where  blacks, whites, Italians, Jews, Latinos and many celebrities would converge to dance. The orquestra also performed at the Royal Roost, the Park Palace, Birdland, the Corso, and at the Apollo on a yearly week long gig. They orchestra not only performed in many other clubs in New York, but they also travelled the U.S.A. and the rest of the world where Graciela would astonish large audiences with her unmatched versatility and virtuosity. 

Graciela has an impressive list of achievements. She made a career in Hollywood in the 1940’s and 50’s, she recorded many (solo) albums, and she was a favorite of many producers, composers and arrangers such as Arsenio Rodriguez and Rafael Solano. Graciela was an integral part of Mario Bauz’s comeback in the 1980’s and the early 90’s. When Mario died in 1993 Graciela unofficially retired but had been lured to the recording studio or the stage on memorable occasions. In recent years her stage appearances has mainly been in the tri-state area. In the last few years Graciela has been awarded for her achievements by organizations such as The International Latin Music Hall of Fame (1999, 2001) and the Latin Achievements Award (2007). She also received many honors from different organizations. And the government of the United States recognized her service in entertaining the troops during the second World War. Graciela’s 93rd birthday was recently celebrated during the Lincoln Center Out of Doors festival along with the Caribbean Cultural Centre where over 10.000 people jammed Damorsch Park to wish her well. She performed 5 songs from them and got their standing ovation.

Graciella’s wish was for everyone to celebrate her life and not mourn her dead. She also wished to be cremated. The dissemination of her ashes will be held in private. Graciela is survived only by her dear friends and fans. She leaves no immediate family behind. She never lacked love in her life in spite of her never getting married and having no children: she had many great romances. Graciela Perez Gutierrez (not Grillo) was indeed a very special woman