¡Celia Cruz: Azúcar! was a tribute special held in honor of Cuban performer Celia Cruz. It was hosted by American singer Marc Anthony and Cuban-American singer Gloria Estefan. It featured musical performances by various Latin music and Anglo performers including Victor Manuelle, Paulina Rubio, José Feliciano, Milly Quezada, Los Tri-O, Gloria Estefan, Patti LaBelle, Arturo Sandoval, Ana Gabriel, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Tito Nieves, Albita, Johnny Pacheco, Alfredo de la Fe, Alicia Villareal, Olga Tañón, Mikey Perfecto, José Alberto "El Canario", Rosario, Luis Enrique, Marc Anthony and Gloria Gaynor. This was Cruz's final public appearance, before her death in July 2003. The tribute concert raised $145,000 for the Celia Cruz Foundation.Musicians: Luis Aquino, Ito Torres, Vicente "Cussi" Castillo, Juan Quinones, Rafy Torres, Victor Vazquez, Tonito Vazquez, William "Cachiro" Thompson, Tito De Gracia, Ceferino Caban, Cucco Pena.
¡Celia Cruz: Azúcar!
Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso, known as Celia Cruz, was a Cuban singer and one of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century. Cruz rose to fame in Cuba during the 1950s as a singer of guarachas, earning the nickname "La Guarachera de Cuba". In the following decades, she became known internationally as the "Queen of Salsa" due to her contributions to Latin music. She had sold over 10 million copies, making her one of the best-selling Latin music artists.
Cruz in 1957
Celia Cruz in the 1950s with the members of the Sonora Matancera in Havana
Celia Cruz performing in Paris at the Olympia in 1980
Dexter Lehtinen, Celia Cruz, Alonso R. del Portillo, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Pedro Knight in May 1992