Omara Portuondo
The queen of Cuban jazz on her tough path to stardom.
She became known as the queen of Cuban jazz, but her rise to stardom was a challenging one as she dealt with being a shy child, raised in a family of mixed race.
Omara Portuondo’s talent became evident as she and her sister started to perform to packed clubs and bars, even touring internationally with their classical style of Cuban jazz.
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Portuondo was in the US when the Cuban revolution took place and, unlike her sister who stayed in America, Portuondo returned and supported Fidel Castro.
With the unexpected success of the 1999 Ry Cooder film, Buena Vista Social Club, her global profile got a huge boost, and she became something of an ambassador for Cuban music.
Even into her 80s, Omara Portuondo shows no signs of slowing down as she tours with her live show around the world.
This episode of One on One can be seen from Saturday, April 24, at the following times GMT: Saturday: 0030, 1630; Sunday: 0430, 2330; Monday: 0300, 1230.
Published On 24 Apr 2010