Happy 97th for our Juana de Cuba

May 26, 2022

Juana la Cubana, the vedette, was born on May 26, 1925, in La Habana. She is one of the most popular Cuban artists and has continued performing in nightclubs, theaters and cabarets in Cuba until an advanced age.

In an interview she said that her greatest happiness is seeing her people enjoy themselves, laugh. That feeling of joy that always accompanied her made her be surrounded by people wherever she performed.

"Just imagine, against nature no one can do anything in life, because I never took music lessons, that came with me. The Guaracha, the witty remark, and all those things, are what made me great," she said.

She fought to reach stardom, stood out at Tropicana and became an icon of popular art, especially in a little-recognized area of the entertainment world, but one that requires great mastery because it is always performed live, the Cabaret.

Juana la cubana, as she is also popularly known, began singing and dancing at a very young age. She had a self-taught education. Her professional career took her to stages on all continents, representing the humor, traditional music and dance of the Caribbean island. She even performed at the opéra-comique (comic opera) in Paris.

Memorable for her followers are the presentations she had alongside music figures such as Nat King Cole, Ninón Sevilla, Cantinflas, Rafaela Carrá, Benny More, Chano Pozo, Celeste Mendoza, Celia Cruz, Bola de Nieve, Rita Montaner, Rosita Fornés, Omara Portuondo and Elena Burke, among others.

On her last birthday, the prominent Cuban humorist Alexis Valdés congratulated her and said that she is a comedy genius in Cuba.

"No one is tougher than her on stage. After her taking the stage, no way. The true queen of comedy in Cuba's cabaret. Juana Bacallao. Time to step back!", Valdés said.

Juana Bacallao is an artist of strong energy on stage. No one remains indifferent when the Cuban woman steps on the scene. She captures the spectators' attention with her unique styling, her sense of humor, and her cutting responses, which give her a unique and authentic signature.