1936 CUBA Orchestra Signed 2 ANACAONA Cuban Women Group

ANACAONA Orchestra is a band that cultivates the folk music, mixing the traditional rhythms with the most recent ones , the thirteen women that form this group are well know as "Las Mulatisimas del Sabor", Anacaona is famous for its own typical sound, that is why it is considered the leading exponent of salsa music. In 1932 Concepcion Castro founded this Orchestra becoming the first women septet in Cuban Son, later on turned into a jazz band and brass band. Their sixth first songs were recorded for RCA Victor in 1936, since then they lead the field in Cuba's womanly bands. As it is well known the group attained its popularity at outdoors cafes, one of the most important in those moments was "Paseo del Prado Habanero" where they used to present its music, considering this the right moment to its world launching. All Anacaona's members are graduated from The National Art School, and "Amadeo Rold?n" Conservatory; due to this vocational training they own a style, so it makes the group to treasure and improve its history. When in 1983, Georgia and Dora Aguirre sisters finished their Academic Education, they joined the Orchestra managed by Alicia Zaldarriaga ( another member founder) then. Georgia and Dora's first five years in the Orchestra played a very important role in these women's life as musicians. Georgia starts managing the band and with new instrumentalists they decide to carry on with the Cuban Popular Music, defending the musical heritage of the group (more than 70 years). "C?ntalo pero B?ilalo" was Anacaona's first debut on Televisi?n, and starting from, it took part in different musical programmes like: "Sabadazo", "Contacto", "23 and M". and the top Sunday Programme "Mi Salsa; where in 1990 they won the prize "Best Small Band of the Year". Once, among the most outstanding women of our folk music like Isolina Carillo, Enriqueta Almanza, Omara Portuondo and Jaquel?n Castellanos met on the TV Programme named "Mi Salsa", the Television recorded it and it is sorted as an unforgettable moment in the Cuban Television history Anacaona's music has also been taken into consideration by the Radio and thanks to its broadcasting in all domestic radio stations this group is well listened by Cubans listeners . As part of some Youthful Campaigns such as: "Pintate de Sol", "Al Sol Voy", and the recently one "My City Dances", this group, the most ancient womanly group in the country has also involved in domestic tours, reaching even those remote places in the Island. ANACAONA ORCHESTRA shares its music in the most famous Cuba's night shows like: Parisien Cabaret (National Hotel); The Ambassador Salon and Turquino Salon both from Habana Libre Hotel; the International Cabaret in Varadero and Tropicana from Havana and Santiago de Cuba . In 1993 the band was the hostess of the International Tourism Convention and as well as many other musicians like Omara Portuondo, Celina Gonz?lez and 200 hundreds dancers opened the ceremony. The group has also given several concerts in the most important theatres in the country among them we have; Carlos Marx Theatre, America Theatre, Mella Theatre, all them in Havana , Sauto Theatre, in Matanzas and La Caridad Theatre in Santa Clara. Outstanding Cubans Musicians such as: Isaac Delgado, Caridad Cuervo, Ra?l Planas, Jos? Luis Cort?s, Pedrito Calvo, Mundito Gonz?lez, Rosita Forn?s, Ela Calvo, Jorge Varona, P?o Leyva, Omara Portuondo, Xiomara Laugart, Nuviolas sisters, Manolito Simonet and Polo Monta??s, have been accompany by this prestigios Orchestra. The Band has shared its music with other prestigios bands like Chucho Vald?s and Irakere, Juan Formell and Los Van Van, NG La Banda, La Charanga Habanera, Isaac Delgado and its Orchrestra, Manolito and its Trabuco, Original de Manzanillo and C?ndido Fabr? Orchestras. ANACAONA has participated in many festivals like: Students and Youth International Festival, "Benny Mor? "International Festival, "Enrique Jorr?n" Festival, and Latin American Film Festival and in the youth one "May Pilgrimages". As a result of its serious and deep work , the Orchestra was worthy of the "Outstanding" privilege granted by Juan Marinello Cultural Group in 1992 and 1993. Since 1999 ANACAONA ORCHESTRA has an own Club at Caf? Cantante "Mi Habana"at the National Theatre and also has performed at EGREM Music Houses, as well as in schools, collages, hospitals and community centres. The Orchestra recordings started in 1936 when here in Havana, RCA Victor an American record company recorded its fist sixth songs. In 1973 the Cuban Record Company EGREM, recorded fifteen of ANACAONA ORCHESTRA's songs, those recordings were in jazz band, brass band, septet and quartet formats. "Anacaona ?Ay?", was the first Orchestra's CD after some changes, edited in 1991 for PM Records, this CD was on charge of Juan Formell a very famous Cuban musician, and three years later, in 1994, Jose Luis Cort?s hold the responsibility and produced a new one for BIS Music, named "One Hundred Beautiful Cubans Women". "Como un Milagro", ("Like a Miracle") a CD also edited by the same record company was produced by Pucho L?pez an important Cuban musician (pianist, arranger and composer) while in 1999 Joaqu?n Betancourt and LUSAFRICA Record Company were in charge of a new CD named "Lo que t? esperabas"("What you expected for"). The Cuban Cinema: also has joined the Orchestra in feature films like: The Beauty of the Alhambra, Parallel Lives, and Black Neighbourhood where they play different songs. In 2002 ANACAONA celebrated its 70 anniversary given concerts through all country, also the Cuban Cinema filmed a documentary based on the Orchestra's work, the name of this documentary is "70 Years Later". Since July 1989 the most antique Cuban womanly group started a very important career in International Grounds, it has gathered loads of successes in America, Europe, Africa and China. ANACAONA, the Cuban Womanly Orchestra gets into this third millennium with new national and international expectations and successes. ANACAONA honours its name and tradition . Long live to ANACAONA ORCHESTRA.