Isolina Carrillo Estrada, born on December 9, 1907, in Havana, Cuba, was a distinguished composer, singer, and pianist. She hailed from a musically inclined family; her father, Crispín Carrillo, and her brothers were musicians, which significantly influenced her early exposure to music. At the tender age of ten, Carrillo made her public debut as a pianist, stepping in for her father in his orchestra. She received formal musical training at the Municipal Conservatory of Havana, studying under notable Cuban musicians such as Graciano Gómez and Joaquín Nin.

Carrillo's career began in earnest in 1917 when she worked as a substitute pianist for the Calixto Allende Orchestra. She later directed and played trumpet for the all-female septet Las Trovadoras del Cayo and was involved with the Conjunto Vocal Siboney, performing across the Americas. Her versatility extended to various musical genres, including bolero, guaracha, and sones, and she was also a member of Conjunto Tropicuba and Trio Sepia.

In the 1940s, Carrillo gained significant recognition as a composer, with her most famous work being the bolero "Dos Gardenias," composed in 1945. This song became an international hit, covered by numerous artists such as Daniel Santos, Antonio Machín, and Ibrahim Ferrer. Her compositions, including "Fiesta de besos" and "Canción sin amor," contributed greatly to Latin American music.

Carrillo also contributed to the Cuban radio scene, working at CMQ radio and RHC Cadena Azul, where she organized a giant danzone orchestra. Her influence extended to the film industry, both in Cuba and Mexico, and she was a pioneer in composing music for Cuban advertisements.

Isolina Carrillo passed away on February 21, 1996, in Havana, leaving behind a legacy as one of the legends of bolero music in the Caribbean and beyond.