María Teresa Vera
The grande dame of Cuban music, Maria Teresa Vera was not only the greatest female trova singer of all time, she was also one of the form's greatest singers, period. Vera became a professional musician and songwriter -- and a mightily popular one at that -- during the early 20th century, when such a career was virtually unheard of for a woman. Her skill at singing trova -- a rural folk song style that predated the son dance craze -- helped lay the groundwork for the explosion of Cuban popular music in the '30s and '40s, and her fame as a trovadora lasted well after the style was eclipsed by other popular trends. Maria Teresa Vera was born in Guanajay, in the province of Pinar del Rio, on February 6, 1895. She began learning the guitar from Jose Diaz, and in 1911, at age 15, performed publicly in Havana at a tribute to Arquimedes Pous. Vera subsequently formed the first of several duos, a format she would favor throughout her career, with Rafael Zequeira; in addition to performing in Cuba, the two traveled to New York several times for recording sessions. Zequeira died in 1924, and after performing for a couple of years both solo and accompanied, Vera formed a new duo with Miguelito Garcia in 1926. Vera also formed her own group, the Sexteto Occidente, with which she returned to New York to record. In 1937, Vera formed yet another partnership with Lorenzo Hierrezuelo, which proved so successful that they maintained it for the next 25 years. The two appeared frequently on Cuban radio over that period, and traveled to Mexico in 1954 to promote Cuban trova. By the time Vera retired in 1962 due to illness, her status as one of Cuba's greatest female singers was secure; she was revered by the neo-traditionalist nueva trova movement, and several of her songs -- particularly her signature tune, "Veinte Años" -- had become standards. Vera passed away in Havana in 1965. Thirty years later, the all-star tribute album À Maria Teresa Vera was released to commemorate what would have been her 100th birthday.
© Steve Huey /TiVo
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Discography
11 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Maria Teresa Veras Revival
World - Released by Fania on Mar 27, 2001
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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El Legendario Duo de la Trova Cubana
María Teresa Vera, Rafael Zequeira
Jazz - Released by Fresh Sound Records on Jan 6, 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Yo No Tumbo Caña
Latin America - Released by Tumbao Cuban Classics on Jan 9, 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Viente Anos (Digital 45) - Single
World - Released by Essential Media Group on May 4, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
María Teresa Vera, Vol.3
World - Released by TheFeelin´Club on Jul 12, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Boleros esenciales (Deluxe Edition)
Latin America - Released by Chant Latin on Jul 31, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Ausencia / La Rosa Roja (Remastered)
Classical - Released by HAVANA MOON on Dec 1, 1962
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Lágrimas Negras / Las Perlas de Tu Boca (Remastered)
Classical - Released by DISCOS FIDEL on Dec 1, 1962
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
María Teresa Vera, Vol.2
Latin America - Released by TheFeelin´Club on Feb 27, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo