Elena Burke (born Romana
Elena Burguez Gonzalez on February 28,
1928 in Havana
, Cuba
- June 9, 2002 in Havana, Cuba) was
a revered and popular Cuban singer of boleros and romantic
ballads.
She started her career by working in radio in the 1940s but began
to work with smaller groups in the 1950s. In 1952, pianist and
arranger Aida Diestro organized the vocal quartet called
Cuarteto D'Aida. The original members were
Elena Burke,
Moraima Secada,
Omara Portuondo and
Haydée Portuondo. After she got some
attention, she went solo. By the time of the Cuban revolution she
was a top solo artist performing in elegant cabarets in Havana. Her
voice seemed to become stronger with age, as her subtle yet
sophisticated technique graced every song she sang with an
emotional weight. Over the years she has performed with top Cuban
dance bands such as
Orquesta Aragon
and with highly acclaimed singer-songwriters, including
Pablo Milanes. She certainly could "take a sad
song and make it better," piercing the emotional veil of her
audience with an almost palpable sincerity. Though she mostly
interpreted classic Cuban boleros and Son, her versions were
distinct, supported by top-notch musicians and arrangements. In
2002, she died of
AIDS.
She was the mother of
Malena Burke and
grandmother of
Lena, also well known
Cuban singers.