Written by Michael Polychronis
The legendary Cuban music performer, Omara Portuondo, who reintroduced herself to the world in the late 90s with the Buena Vista Social Club, has announced her retirement from live performances. The announcement was made by her son and manager on October 3, 2024. Ariel Jimenez Portuondo stated that his mother showed “signs of fatigue and disorientation during a concert in Barcelona on October 2 and was forced to leave the stage. We believe,” he continued in a Facebook post, “that it is appropriate to announce her final retirement from the stage, with her last appearance in Budapest on Sunday, October 6.”
There, Omara will not sing but will appear to enjoy “the love and applause of her fans. She is in good health under the supervision of her personal doctor,” Ariel concluded. The living legend began her career at the age of 15 as a dancer at the famous Tropicana cabaret, and her style embodied the charm of old Havana’s atmosphere. At the age of 60, she was convinced to collaborate with the old Cuban stars Ibrahim Ferrer and Rubén González. Together, under the guidance of guitarist Ry Cooder, they reintroduced themselves and revived the sidelined glory of Cuban rumba and son by recording the incomparable Buena Vista Social Club in just six days in 1997. This album became one of the most commercially successful in the then-rising world music genre, earning a well-deserved Grammy.
Omara herself has won two Grammys, one in 2009 for the album Gracias, and another in 2023 for her latest, Vida. Her son clarifies that although his mother is retiring from the stage, “to deprive her of the possibility to sing, as long as she has a clear mind, a lively spirit, vocal ability, and strength, would be like condemning her to sadness. The connection with the audience, the applause, and singing are what keep her alive and in good spirits.”