• Submitted by: manso
• Arts and Culture
• 10 / 07 / 2010

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The legendary, Latin Grammy-winning vocalist Omara Portuondo will bring her rich, soulful brand of jazz and balladry to Houston for her 80th Birthday Celebration Concert.

Known as the only female to sing with the famed Buena Vista Social Club, Portuondo will perform with her own band on Friday, Oct. 8, at 8 p.m. in Jones Hall, presented by Society for the Performing Arts.

Portuondo’s 80th Birthday Concert will include music from her latest, award-winning album Gracias. Last year was a landmark year for Portuondo. She was the first Cuban artist in six years to obtain a visa to perform in the United States and became the first Cuban resident to present an award at the 10th Annual Latin Grammy Awards, delivering the prestigious Song of the Year award. That same night, she won her first Latin Grammy for Best Contemporary Tropical Album.

In addition to winning a Latin Grammy, Gracias was also awarded the Cubadisco 2009 Grand Prix and is Portuondo’s third solo album, marking a professional musical career spanning more than 60 years. The New York Times declared that at age 79, “her voice… is rich, shapely, dynamic, and still sultry”.

A native of Havana, Portuondo was one of three daughters born to a baseball player on the Cuban national team and a woman of Spanish heritage who left the comfort and support of her wealthy family to marry the man she loved. Portuondo’s parents were a driving force behind her music, encouraging her to take music classes and sing in school choirs.

Her career started as a teenager, singing and dancing at Havana’s Tropicana cabaret. She first found success in her home country singing with the Las D’Aida quartet, and throughout the 1970s and 1980s as an acclaimed solo vocalist. Although she has performed all over the world, sharing the stage with Nat King Cole and a long list of well known Latin musicians, it was the Buena Vista Social Club that launched her into worldwide fame, along with such major figures as Ibrahim Ferrer, Rubén González and Compay Segundo.

Ticket prices range from $20 - $60 and can be purchased online at www.spahouston.org, by phone at 713-227-4SPA or at the courtyard level ticket office at Jones Hall located at 615 Louisiana St. Hours of operation: 9 a.m. –6 p.m. Monday– Friday, and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday. For groups of 15 or more, call 713-632-8113.

Source: Cubarte