Celeste Mendoza

b. 1930, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, d. 22 November 1998, Havana, Cuba. Flatteringly known as the ‘rumba queen' of 50s Cuba, Mendoza's speciality was guaracha, the dynamic rumba style informed by African rhythms. As well as being a vivid performer and interpreter, she was also a well-known dancer and actress in and around Havana. Mendoza moved to the Cuban capital as a child, beginning her career in the early 50s as a singer on the television show CMQ. She subsequently released a string of highly successful albums. After Cuba's revolution Mendoza elected to stay in the country, pe...