Like many musicians, however, Portuondo has had her trials and after the first flush of Communist revolution she was farmed out cultural revolution-style to sing in the fields and inspire the workers. She toured as an international musical ambassador during the 1970s, but in the late 1980s she practically "retired" and only became known to the world once more a decade later through the work of Ry Cooder. Her solo album, The Buena Vista Social Club Presents Omara Portuondo, released in 2000,confirmed her status as a jazz legend.
"It was very interesting to work with Ry Cooder. [He] knows Cuban music very well, he is a studious man and he works with great respect. It's for this reason that the music for Buena Vista Social Club keeps the original roots and passion of the original composers."
"Our music in this recording was original, nothing was changed. With this work Ry spread out our music internationally, so everybody could enjoy it. Wenders' film picked up what that moment was, the reunion and the recording, and we all know that cinema is a very important diffusion source."
As for her life in Cuba today, Portuondo said, "I am a very calm person but I like having an active life. In Havana I drive my own car and I always have things to do. I like sharing things with my friends and spend a lot of time with family, with my son, his wife and my beautiful grand-daughter. I love swimming and of course I do all of these things once I come back from my tours.
"Touring makes me feel very active and fills me with a great desire for life. I cannot wait to be in Taiwan and feel the audiences' warmth. We have a very complete show and great musicians, and we will all give our best."
Portuondo will be playing two nights at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, beginning tonight, and has brought over long-time band members and the Buena Vista Club artists' musical director. When Portuondo sings she lifts a song above the level of genres and makes it personal, a beautifully crafted piece of musical poetry. Technically gifted, with great timing, presence and personality, she is at her best live according to critics, among them the reporter from the San Francisco Chronicle who dubbed her Cuba's Edith Piaf.
Finally, this could be a last chance to see the musical legend and it should be remembered that Ibraham Ferrer -- who can forget his tear-jerking duet Silencio with Portuondo in Buena Vista Social Club? -- died aged 78 in August. Da Da Arts, has been negotiating for five years to bring Portuondo over and her concerts should be special occasions, especially on Saturday when her 75th birthday will be celebrated.
RSS