Celia Cruz

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/celia-cruz

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Celia Cruz born?October 21, 1925
2. When did Celia Cruz die?July 16, 2003 (age 77)
3. Where was Celia Cruz born?Havana, Cuba
4. Who was Celia Cruz?Celia Cruz was a Cuban singer born in 1925 who became famous for her powerful voice and energetic performances in salsa music.
5. Why is she called the Queen of Salsa?She earned the title because she was the lead singer for Fania Records and the Fania All-Stars, and her songs helped make salsa popular worldwide.

Guaracha: A traditional Cuban musical genre characterized by its fast tempo, lively rhythm, and often humorous or satirical lyrical content.
Sonora Matancera: A highly influential Cuban orchestra, which Celia Cruz joined as lead singer in 1950, significantly boosting her national and international profile.
Salsa: A complex and energetic musical genre that evolved from various Latin American musical traditions, with Celia Cruz being its most prominent global ambassador.
Fania Records: A pivotal record label in the 1970s that was instrumental in the commercialization and global dissemination of Salsa music, featuring artists like Celia Cruz.