La Sonora Matancera

The historic Cuban tropical act La Sonora Matancera has been a working band since 1924. They have recorded more than 1,000 albums and started out as "La Tuna Liberal" in 1922. In 1927, the group moved to Havana, signed with RCA Victor, and changed their name to La Sonora Matancera. Their recordings were played constantly at radio during the 1930s and '40s, and sold exceptionally well. After signing to Seeco in 1950, their music reached the Americas, and in 1960, La Sonora Matancera emigrated to Mexico City and began touring Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the U.S. In 1986, they performed with singer Celia Cruz in front of 240,000 people in Tenerife, and in June 1989, La Sonora Matancera performed 65th anniversary concerts at Carnegie Hall and Central Park with 13 former singers. While their lineup evolves, they continue to perform.