Cita Rodriguez Shines in “Homenaje a Graciela”

0

Cita Rodriguez recorded “Homenaje a Graciela“, in homage of the woman that fronted Machito’s band for 32 years.

The homage is well deserved for Graciela Perez Gutierrez, who as a singer played a key role in what could arguably be considered one of Latin music’s most influential orchestras.

“Homenaje a Graciela Perez”

Cita Rodriguez and Graciela Perez in the cover art of "Homenaje a Graciela"
Cita Rodriguez sang superbly in this homage to the Graciela Perez.

The album has a total of 7 songs (3 guarachas and 4 boleros), and was recorded with the big band format made up mostly by members of the Mambo Legends Orchestra to resemble Machito’s band. Graciela performed with Machito’s Afro-Cubans since 1943 when her foster brother Machito was called to the army, and the Afro-Cubans musical director Mario Bauza called for her from Cuba to front the band in Machito’s absence.

A total of 22 musicians took part in this recording, with the masterful musical direction of John “Dandy” Rodriguez and the maestro Jose Madera, both veterans of Tito Puente’s orchestra. The album was produced by the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI).

The CCCADI is an organization based in New York City that sponsors cultural events, education, exhibitions, and provides other services related to the cultural heritage of the African diaspora in the Caribbean.

More About Cita Rodriguez

Cita Rodriguez is a veteran singer that has performed extensively in the New York Latin music scene, most recently with the Mambo Legends Orchestra. She began as a teenager with her father Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez band.

Despite being a seasoned performer with her father, Johnny Pacheco, Mambo Legends, and even with her own band, Cita has not been at the recording studio as often as she deserves and as we would like. This means that Latin music fans outside New York may not be as familiar with her talent.

This album is her chance to shine in the spotlight, and although she does her part well enough, the album production felt a bit short.

Cita Rodriguez Shines in “Homenaje a Graciela

Cita Rodriguez with Mambo Legends Orchestra
Cita Rodriguez recorded “Homenaje a Graciela” with a big band, many members of the Mambo Legends Orchestra.

In “Homenaje a Graciela“, Cita Rodriguez shines as vocalist. She handles the “boleros” as well as the “guarachas“. Although she clearly has her own singing style, and I believe makes no effort to copy her legendary father, the resemblance to Pete “El Conde” in some of the notes she hits is undeniable.

One of Cita’s biggest accomplishments is to emulate the sassiness with which Graciela performed her songs, particularly the guarachas like “Ay Jose”. Cita does not miss a step to Graciela in this aspect and does an equally remarkable performance on the four “boleros”, a capacity in which she is not well known, mostly for lack of opportunities to showcase her talent.

Homenaje a Graciela” has provided Cita Rodriguez a center stage from which to showcase all of which she is capable of doing as an accomplished singer.

Here is a clip of “Ay José” with Graciela Perez and Machito…

Graciela Was a Pioneer of Latin Music

As part of Machito’s Afro-Cubans, Graciela shared singing duties with her foster brother in one of the most innovative ensembles of the time. The Afro-Cubans were able to awe the audience with their musical innovations, but Machito and Graciela could easily match that awesomeness from behind the microphone. Although Graciela could sing “guarachas”, as well as the best, her specialty with the Afro-Cubans, were the “boleros”.

Graciela Perez with Machito Grillo
Graciela Perez recorded many hits with Latin Jazz pioneer Machito Grillo.

Before joining Machito and his Afro Cubans, Graciela was lead singer for the all-female band Orquesta Anacaona in Cuba and also sang with El Trio Garcia.

Opportunities for “Homenaje a Graciela

I liked the 7 songs of the album, the concept, the music, and the singing of Cita. But just 7 songs fell way short. I wish this album would’ve been of 10 or 12 songs of Graciela. Just 7 songs seems too short for such a great thing!

I also would’ve liked liner notes with more pages that would tell the story of Graciela. The liner notes barely had any information (not even the song duration). These days it’s expensive enough to produce a recording, and without the funding of a major record label, it’s hard to keep pouring in money into the production. So although I can understand the constraints the CCCADI had to work with, I still think a homage concept album needed to have liner notes with 3 or 4 pages on Graciela’s life story.

All in all, “Homenaje a Graciela” is a production that, although mostly good, leaves you wanting much more out of it. Yet, I’m glad Cita Rodriguez came out with a recording of her own, and one where she does great justice in a well-deserved homage of Graciela, making it worth having to remember one of Latin music’s great artist.

Here is a clip of “La Botanica“, a hit Graciela recorded with Mario Bauza shortly after both had left Machito’s orchestra.

You might also like

Leave a Comment or Reply