Celina González

Biography

Celina González (1929–2015) was one of Cuba’s most celebrated traditional singers and composers, known as the “Queen of Cuban Country Music.” Born in Jovellanos, Matanzas, she began her career in the 1940s and rose to fame as part of the duo Celina and Reutilio, alongside her husband, Reutilio Domínguez. Their songs combined the guajira and son styles with deep spiritual and Afro-Cuban influences. Her most famous composition, “A Santa Bárbara” (¡Que viva Changó!), became an anthem of devotion and cultural pride, later performed by artists such as Celia Cruz. After Reutilio’s death in 1971, Celina continued as a solo artist, recording acclaimed albums for EGREM and touring internationally. Throughout her career, she received numerous honors, including a Cubadisco Award and a Grammy nomination for her album Cincuenta años… como una reina (2001). Celina González’s powerful voice and poetic authenticity made her an enduring icon of Cuban folk music and national identity.