SLP, Mexico.- Angela Alvarezthe Cuban singer-songwriter who made history two years ago by winning the Latin Grammy at the age of 95, died early this Friday, December 6, according to reports. his grandson, the composer and producer Carlos José Alvarez, to the magazine Billboard.
Álvarez died at the age of 97 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, surrounded by her family and loved ones, announced the grandson, who produced the debut album of the singer-songwriter. The cause of death was not revealed.
“I feel very lucky to have shared our grandmother with the world. She was a gift for me,” said Carlos José Alvarez.
“What we achieved together was extraordinary. It is an example of courage, love and the importance of keeping dreams alive. “He taught us how art can heal in times of adversity,” he added.
The Cuban was awarded “Best New Artist” when she was 95 years old.
To the collect the award from the Latin Recording Academy in the United States, in 2022, Álvarez, excited, thanked her family and especially her grandson, the musician and composer Carlos José Álvarez, who helped her record her first album, in 2021.
Based in the United States, she always felt a devotion to music, as she recognized in an interview granted to BBC Worldbut it was not until he was 90 years old that he managed to make the leap to public recognition, thanks to the works he composed throughout his life.
Due to the success obtained, the Cuban artist was able to offer her first concert at the Ávalon theater in Los Angeles, presented by the actor, also Cuban, Andy García.
Angela also had a brief appearance in the film Father of the Bride (The bride’s father), starring Andy García himself and the Cuban-American singer Gloria Estefan. In the film, the elderly Cuban appears singing the bolero “Quiéreme mucho.”
His first and so far only album includes 15 compositions, recorded by leading musicians, Grammy winners or nominated for it.
In her obituary, the Latin Grammy Academy wrote: “Ángela became the oldest winner to achieve recognition in that category, at 95 years old. The artist, born in Cuba, was an example of love for Latin music. Rest in peace.”
