Xiomara Laugart is a famous Cuban nueva trova singer from Guantanamo, Cuba. When you hear “Guantanamera” at the airport in Havana, that’s Xiomara welcoming you to Cuba. Nobody sings that song like her (not even our beloved Celia). Maybe it’s because Xiomara is a woman of Guantanamo just like the song title says.
In New York she was part of Latin fusion band Yerba Buena, and played Celia Cruz Off-Broadway. She is now doing duos with her son Axel Tosca of Unity. When Xiomara sings, you can’t help but stop, listen and dream.
Xiomara Laugart in New York City
Trova legend Xiomara Laugart celebrates Mi Salsa Kitchen’s 1st Anniversary with Cuban Timba at Mi Salsa Kitchen in the Lower East Side on Fri, Feb 25 from 9-11pm. 🇨🇺
Xiomara Laugart
Xiomara Laugart Sanchez was born in Guantanamo, Cuba on June 8, 1960. It’s the eastern province of Cuba where son, revolution, and a lot of Cuban music comes from.
Laugart built her reputation as a Cuban nueva trova singer. Nueva trova is folk music with political themes that showed up during the youth revolution of the late 1960s (1967-1968), just like the protest folk music of artists like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez in the United States.
The trova tradition flows from the griot tradition of West Africa, Indigenous storytellers, and the troubadour tradition of Southern Europe.
Subrosa
We got to know Xiomara at Subrosa, a Latin nightclub in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District that Blue Note Entertainment ran from 2014 to 2017. It was New York City’s premiere Latin club. Pedrito Martinez (Yerba Buena) was the artist in residence. Whenever she sang, you would meet movie stars and famous musicians in the audience. It was something, but the best of all was to hear her voice. She can make you dance to son Cubano, fall in love with the Cuban bolero, or take you back to the Cuban nueva trova.
“Celia: The Life and Music of Celia Cruz”
In 2007-2008, Laugart was cast as Cuban jazz legend Celia Cruz in the Off-Broadway musical about Celia’s life.
“Playbill,” the Broadway magazine, quoted executive producer Henry Cardenas, “We are fortunate to have Xiomara Laugart play the role of Celia Cruz. She is an incredibly gifted artist with a wonderful voice who encompasses many of the qualities that made Celia Cruz so special. I don’t think we could have found a better Celia.”
The musical ran in New York City, across the United States and in South America. It won four HOLA awards (Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors).
Yerba Buena
2003-2005 ~ Laugart was part of Yerba Buena, a beloved Grammy-nominated New York Afro-Latin fusion band. Their debut record, President Alien (2003) earned a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album.
The band was led by Venezuelan Andres Levin who won a Grammy award for his In the Heights cast recording, and Cuban cabaret singer Cucu Diamante.
In addition to Xiomara, the band also included Cuban percussionist Pedrito Martinez.
New York Venues
- Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center
- Hostos Center
- Minton’s Playhouse
- Zinc Bar
Follow
Instagram @laugart