Last summer (July 2016), Cibercuba’s Rafa Pérez recommended these nine women who lead the musical stage in contemporary Cuba. He writes: “Cuban music is composed of a wide spectrum of the most varied vibrations, and today, more than ever, it is women who add the distinctiveness that stands out in the traditional or alternative genres and who raise the name of Cuba for a more demanding audience.” Here are the nine recommendations with brief descriptions; check out Cibercuba for detailed descriptions of the singers and a video sampling of their music:

Diana Fuentes: pop, urban, Latino, R&B and traditional Cuban music

Daymé Arocena (photo above): Jazz

Danay Suárez: Jazz singer and composer

Luna Manzanares: Classic Cuban songs with contemporary arrangements, jazz, trova, Brazilian and North American music

Laritza Bacallao: Traditional Cuban music

Tammy López: Singer-songwriter; style best described as “nuevo filin”

Eme Alfonso: Singer for the group Síntesis; explores various rhythms from soul to jazz, funk, R & B, Cuban and Latin tunes

Lisette “Lizzy” Díaz: Lead Singer for the Sweet Lizzy Project; indie, folk, or pop rock

Dianela de la Portilla: Lead singer for Los Boys; funk fusion, original songs as well as covers of all time classic and contemporary hits

For full descriptions and music videos, see https://www.cibercuba.com/lecturas/9-voces-femeninas-cubanas-que-debes-escuchar