Xiomara Laugart Sánchez

Singer. One of the main voices of Cuban Trova and Nuevo Feeling, with more than 15 albums to her credit and countless collaborations, La Negra as she is popularly known, began her career alongside Pablo Milanés, Silvio Rodríguez and Raúl Torres, among others.

She was born in Guantánamo, Cuba in the former province of Oriente. She studied music at the Ignacio Cervantes Professional Development School. She began her professional artistic career in 1985.

In 1980 she obtained third place in interpretation at the Adolfo Guzmán Cuban Music Competition; she participated in the V Festival and Activities of the New Trova, the VI Summit and Carifesta. She was part of the Guiñol Theater group of Isle of Youth. She was a member of the Aconcagua group and Talla Extra (X-L), and for a time worked with Alberto Tosca.

Those who have entered Cuba through the José Martí International Airport in Havana will know that upon arriving at the terminal, they are greeted by a video with images of Old Havana and the beautiful voice of Xiomara Laugart singing to them through the loudspeaker: "Today my Havana Shows her best.." And it is no coincidence because Xiomara is "The Voice of Cuba". She has represented her land and her people singing in countless theaters, clubs and festivals around the world for years alongside great international talents. Xiomara is at the same time, the essence of old Cuba, with its rhythms and traditional songs, mixed with the sophistication and clarity of her voice today, only matched by her powerful and deep laugh. It is that joy and contagious laughter that has captivated audiences wherever she performs.

Evidently, we are not in the presence of a common phenomenon or prefabricated product. The singer has a peculiar mystery to reveal, not only through her vocal virtues and registers, but a very special, liquid and silky sound. Her register is such that so many jazz influences form a natural extension in her repertoire. Xiomara takes each style and embraces it with her own stamp of authenticity.

One of the main voices of Cuban Trova and Nuevo Feeling, with more than 15 albums to her credit and countless collaborations, Xiomara Laugart La Negra as she is popularly known, began her career alongside Pablo Milanés, Silvio Rodríguez and Raúl Torres, among others.

Xiomara Laugart made her international recording debut through the prestigious New York label Chesky Records. The album contains a sophisticated collection of old and new songs with original compositions by Meme Solís, Andrés Levin, Descemer Bueno, and arrangements by Octavio Kotán and Axel Tosca.

Until recently, Xiomara was the lead voice of the New York-based collective Yerba Buena. She has collaborated and/or shared stages with: Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Omara Portuondo, Jacky Terrasson, Omar Sosa, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Andy Gonzalez, Dave Valentin, Pablo Milanés, Overproof, NG La Banda, Amaury Perez, Miriam Ramos, Isaac Delgado, Juan de Marco and his Orquesta Sierra Maestra, Ron Blake, Roy Hargrove, Kip Hanrahan, Carlinhos Brown, Arto Lindsay, MeShell Ndegeocello, Femi Kuti, D'Angelo, Macy Gray, Erykah Badu, Ana Torroja, Meme Solis, Many Oquendo & Libre, Fun Loving Criminals and Busta Rhymes among others.

She participated in the American film Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. She also participates in the German/Cuban co-production Paradise Under the Stars.

Her monthly galas at the iconic Zinc Bar in New York have been dubbed by the press and fans as "Legendary".

Critics say:

"Xiomara's melodious voice resonates in her high registers and shows a vivid and exceptional sense of rhythm."

"Xiomara's seductive style left an indelible mark on Cuba during a decade, leaving behind hordes of fans and musicians at her feet"

"Xiomara, La Negra as this young singer is affectionately known by a legion of unconditional admirers, manages to interpret each style of her land with astonishing ease, from bolero to salsa, from danzón to guaracha to the most sophisticated jazz and funk."

"Xiomara possesses a unique mixture of registers, and her voice equally possesses a liquid quality rarely found in singers today."

Artistic Career

1979 - Internationally participated in the Festival of Political Song, Berlin.
1980 - Traveled to Nicaragua with the Pinos Nuevos Group from Isle of Youth
1981- Returned as a guest participant in the Festival of Political Song in Berlin and that same year obtained third prize in the Political Song Interpretation Competition in Sochi, Soviet Union
1982 - Performed at the Café-Concert in Mexico, participated in the Festival for Non-Intervention in Central America and Disarmament, held in Holland, Belgium, and that same year traveled to France.
1984 - Returns to Mexico; participated in the Festival of Political Song held in Sopot, Poland; and toured Honduras and Costa Rica
1992- Performed at the La Giraldilla restaurant in Mexico.

After settling in the USA she comes into contact with a group of Latin musicians, including Descemer Bueno and Cucú Diamantes. Originally established in New York, Laugart was a founding member and lead singer of the Afro-Latin fusion band Yerba Buena.

Her music is featured among the tracks of the American film "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights". Her music can also be heard in the Cuban-German co-production "A Paradise Under the Stars".

Her monthly galas at the iconic Zinc Bar in New York have been dubbed by the press and fans as "Legendary". She participated in the American film "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights". She also participates in the German/Cuban co-production "Paradise Under the Stars".

In 2007, Laugart starred as Celia Cruz in the off-Broadway musical, Celia: The Life and Music of Celia Cruz, a tribute to the life of the Cuban-American singer. Celia also premiered at New World Stages in New York, New York from September 26, 2007 to May 25 of the following year. During that touring period, the musical made stops in: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, Washington, D.C., and Boston, as well as a visit to South America. The musical won four HOLA awards (Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors) in 2008.

Her monthly galas at the iconic Zinc Bar in New York have been dubbed by the press and fans as "Legendary". Currently she resides in Massachusetts.