Celia Cruz Boulevard (Bronx)
Present name:Fordham Road
Location:Between Third Avenue and Jerome Avenue
Honoree: Cuban-born Celia Cruz (1925-2003) was one of most admired Latin vocalists of the 20th Century, often called the Queen of Salsa. She toured Central and North America in the 1950s as the lead singer of Sonora Matancera. In 1959, following the Communist takeover of Cuba, she moved to the United States. She continued her successful career as a concert and recording artist until only months before her death from cancer at the age of 77.
LL:2003/62

Celia Cruz Salsa Legend (Bronx)
Present name:None
Location:At the intersection of 195th Street and Reservoir Avenue
Honoree:  Cuban-born Celia Cruz (1924-2003) was one of Latin music's most respected vocalists. A ten-time Grammy nominee, Cruz, who sang only in her native Spanish language, received a Smithsonian Lifetime Achievement award, a National Medal of the Arts and honorary doctorates from Yale University and the University of Miami. A street in Miami was renamed in her honor, and Cruz' trademark orange, red and white polka dot dress and shoes are in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution. Growing up in in a household of 14 children, she stood out because of her singing ability. After winning a singing contest called “La hora del té” she entered other contests and found success in live and radio performances. Defying her father's wishes, she dropped ot the national teachers’ college to pursue a singing career. Something of a compromise was reached when she enrolled at Havana’s National Conservatory of Music. Her breakthrough came in 1950 when she became the lead vocalist for a big band called La Sonora Matancer. Cruz made a very successful rumba record and toured widely through Central and North America with La Sonora Matancera in the 1950s. At the time of the Communist takeover of Cuba in 1959, the group was slated to tour Mexico. However, from Mexico, rather than returning to Cuba, they entered the United States and remained there. Cruz herself became a U.S citizen in 1961. Fidel Castro was furious and barred Cruz from returning to Cuba, enforcing the ban even after Cruz’s parents’ deaths. Cruz for her part vowed not to return to Cuba until the Castro regime was deposed. Celia Cruz died on July 16, 2003 in Fort Lee, New Jersey. (Cabrera) This designation replaces Section 75 of Local Law 62 of 2003.
LL:2022/54