Las Hermanas Márquez

Iconic Cuban trio formed in 1933 by sisters Caridad (a.k.a. Cusa, born in 1922, ), Albertina (a.k.a. Trini, born in 1924), and Nerza (born in 1925). The Márquez family resided in picturesque Puerto Padre, located by the bay of the same name in the Oriente province in Cuba. (Oriente no longer exists since it was divided in 1975 into five smaller provinces. Puerto Padre belongs now to Las Tunas province.) The Márquez sisters were born in the bosom of a very musical household that included a total of 14 siblings. Their father was a noted musician who played guitar and percussion, while their mother was an inspired composer. All the brothers and sisters played some kind of instrument and were good singers but only Cusa, Trini, and Nerza decided to go professional as Las Hermanas Márquez. After becoming locally prominent performing all over Oriente, the sisters made the big time in 1940 when they were booked by CMQ Radio in Havana. Their voices, perfectly coordinated in three-part harmonies, united to a enthusiastic singing style and their virtuosity as musicians, turned Las Hermanas Márquez into national celebrities. In addition to their captivating sound, the sisters were also celebrated for their beauty, undeniable sex-appeal, and elegant wardrobe, traits that made them crowd favorites as they performed in the best theaters, casinos, and night clubs.Their repertoire was consistent with what is now called the golden age of Cuban music: danceable, exhilarating, contagious rhythms such as "son", "guaracha", "montuno" etc. found their true geniality in the voices and instruments of these enchanting ladies. As typical Cuban music diversified through the years, the sisters were always ahead of the game adding mambo, cha-cha-chá, charanga, etc. to their dynamic performances. In 1941 Las Hermanas Márquez signed a recording contract with the powerful RCA Victor and soon their voices were heard all over the world. Due to the popularity of their discs, the sisters started touring frequently throughout Latin America, Europe, and finally The United States where they were warmly received by the English-speaking public. In 1949, Nersa married and left the trio, but was seamlessly replaced by kid sister Olga (born in 1932), another beautiful and talented member of the Márquez clan. The change didn't last long since Olga also decided to give up her career for marriage and Nersa returned to the trio. About this time it became apparent to critics and writers, that the Márquez sisters were, not only a mere act performing the best afro-cuban tunes, but a veritable musical institution. Time proved them right. In 1951 the Márquez sisters signed a contract to perform for four weeks in New York City and the success was such that they decided to make the Big Apple their permanent home and the launching base for all aspects of their unstoppable career. However due to their hectic schedule as well as family concerns, the sisters could not finalize the move until 1954. Their love affair with New York City, and vice versa, was aptly demonstrated as they were often featured at The Palace, The Roseland, The Palladium or the Chateau Madrid. In nearby Wildwood, New Jersey, they were always a popular attraction at the Lou Booth Club and similar venues. In time they had yearly commitments to perform in casinos both in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Television was another medium in which the Márquez sisters made an impact when they sang and played in shows such as Arthur Godfrey and his Friends, Stage Show, and many others. In spite of all the activity in New York City, the act also managed to travel abroad frequently, especially to Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Cuba, their beloved own country. However, it has been reported that Las Hermanas Márquez have not perform in their homeland since it became a communist state in 1959. As often the case with many popular performers, the Márquez sisters have known long periods of inactivity over the last forty years, followed by triumphant "come backs" in which new generations had the opportunity to discover them for the first time and enjoy the talents of these remarkable artists. After several years without recording, the sisters made a splash in 1965 with the album Las Hermanas Márquez vuelven (The Márquez Sisters return) but the promise was interrupted by various illnesses and deaths in the close knit family of which they had no control. In 1990, with Cusa gone, the surviving Márquez sisters, Nerza and Tina, reinvented themselves as a duo and continued without a hitch. Due to their advanced ages they did not tour abroad as much as before preferring to continue as true cultural icons of New York City. When it seemed the sisters were running out of steam, musician Paquito D'Rivera, a long time admirer, proposed the Márquez sisters a joint venture consisting of an album, a video, as well a a promotional tour. It resulted in a terrific CD-DVD, recorded in Spain for Universal Music, released in 2004 under the title "Paquito D'Rivera Presents Las Hermanas Marquez". The success of the Grammy nominated album was astounding and it remains a classic of the Afro-cuban musical genre. Instead following other contemporaries into a placid retirement, the sisters hit the road again performing with D'Rivera or by themselves. In 2010, Las Hermanas Márquez became the proud receipients of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and Trustees Award. It is clear that no matter what the future holds for the legendary sisters, their unique contribution to the music of their homeland is firmly establish and will go on forever. .