Entertainment
95-year-old Cuban grandma Angela Alvarez nominated for Grammy for Best New Artist
Her grandson Carlos José discovered many songs written by his grandmother, from which he chose the 15 tracks for the nominated album
October 7, 2022 7:24pm
Updated: October 9, 2022 7:05pm
When the 23rd Latin Grammy Awards ceremony takes place in Las Vegas in November, there will be a surprise: one of the nominees in the Best New Artist category is a 95-year-old singer. The artist's name is Angela Alvarez, and she is Cuban.
The 95-year-old is nominated for her first album, which has 15 songs of her own.
Her grandson Carlos José discovered many songs written by his grandmother, from which he chose the 15 tracks for the nominated album, while others are waiting to see the light of day.
Álvarez recorded the album that bears his name with extraordinary and multi-awarded musicians, such as Luis Conte, José Álvarez, Alberto Salas, Ramón Stagnaro, and Justo Almario.
The Cuban singer gave her first concert four years ago at the Avalon Theater in Los Angeles, where she was introduced by Cuban-born actor Andy Garcia.
Ángela also made her film debut in the movie "The Father of the Bride," with Andy García and Gloria Estefan, where she sings "Quiéreme mucho."
Alvarez arrived in the United States in 1962, as part of Operation Peter Pan. She then left to live in Mexico with her children and husband, who left Cuba thanks to the intervention of former Mexican President Adolfo Lopez Mateo.
"I have never returned. I want to keep in my heart and my mind what I left. I don't know how it is. My intimate family is no longer in Cuba. So, I don't want to go. I have composed many songs to Cuba, thinking of my beautiful island," Angela told the BBC.
Music was her passion since her childhood. Despite her parent's opposition, she began to compose songs, which he accumulated over the years.
Alvarez is competing for the Grammy with artists such as Spain's Pol Granch, Mexico's Silvana Estrada, Argentina's Sofia Campos, and jazz duo Cande and Paulo.
"I felt many things, but the most beautiful thing I felt was to think that I could have reached such an important goal. So, I felt very honored. I do think it is a great honor that I will receive," she told the BBC.
Out of that experience came the documentary Miss Angela, directed by Paul Toogood and Lloyd Stanton, and narrated by Cuban actor and musician Andy Garcia, which tells Alvarez's story.
