Celina González, Queen of Cuban Punto Dies at 86

Celina González, known as the queen of the Cuban Punto died Wednesday, February 4th according to representatives of Cuba’s Ministry of Culture.

The singer-songwriter was a celebrated artist in Cuba, who had performed with Benny Moré, Barbarito Diez, Nat King Cole, Pedro Vargas and others.

Celina González Zamora was born March 16, 1929 in Jovellanos, Matanzas province (Cuba). In the mid-1940s, Celina met Reutilio Domínguez Terrero, from Guantanamo. He was an outstanding guitarist and backing vocalist. The two artists formed the popular duo Celina and Reutilio in in 1947.

In 1964, the duo disbanded and Celina González started her solo career. In 1981 she formed a duo with her son Reutilio Domínguez to recover part of the classic repertoire she used to perform with her husband Reutilio. In 1999 she recorded the album 50 años como una reina (50 years as a queen), nominated in 2001 for a Latin Grammy.

Her discography includes Que Viva Changó, Desde la Habana Te Traigo, Celina Gonzalez,
Cuba: Santa Barbara, La Reina de la Musica Campesina, and Grandes Exitos de Celina González.

Punto cubano or punto guajiro is a rural Cuban musical genre with deep Spanish roots that brings together poetry and music.