El seis de febrero/February 6th
¡Feliz cumpleaños a ... María Teresa Vera! (1895-1965) Both photos from gladyspalmera.com Click HERE A Cuban singer, guitarist, and composer whose signature song, Veinte Años , has been interpreted and performed by many artists, Vera is considered one of the all-time greats of Cuban music. The granddaughter of slaves and the daughter of a servant in a wealthy household (whose father, a Spanish military man, didn't stick around to meet her), Vera became interested in music from the trova groups that used to visit the mansion where her mother worked. She eventually learned from Manuel Corona himself, one of Cuba's trova greats, and formed a successful duo with Rafael Zequeira (photo above). The two performed in Havana for the first time when Vera was only 16. In 1918, they travelled to New York City, were they performed in the Apollo Theater. Zequeira passed away in 1924, and Vera performed solo and with several different musicians before forming the Sexteto Occiden...