Margarita Lecuona
Margarita Lecuona (1910–1981) was a prominent Cuban singer and composer, celebrated for her contributions to Afro-Cuban music. Born on April 18, 1910, in Havana, she was the daughter of Eugenio Lecuona, the Cuban consul in New York. Margarita's musical education included studies in singing with Julia Lucignani, piano with Eulalia Santana, and guitar with Clara Romero de Nicola. She also studied dance under Nikolai Yavorsky, performing in his works.
In 1930, while still a student, she composed "Soñadora," which she performed on guitar. By 1942, she had formed the Lecuona Cuban Girls, a group that performed on stage and radio, gaining international recognition. Her compositions "Tabú" and "Babalú" became widely popular, with "Tabú" performed by Arthur Lyman and Les Baxter, and "Babalú" by Desi Arnaz.
Margarita married Argentine actor Pepe Armil in 1947 and moved to Buenos Aires, later settling there in 1957. She toured extensively across South America, performing in countries such as Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, and Mexico. In 1969, she relocated to the United States, joining her family. Margarita Lecuona passed away in Bergenfield, New Jersey, in 1981. Her legacy endures through her influential compositions and performances.
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