Carnegie Hall

Latin music has always been shaped by women who defy expectations, break barriers, and push the genre to new heights. From pioneering legends who introduced Latin rhythms to global audiences to contemporary artists who are redefining the sound for future generations, these women have left an undeniable mark. Their artistry transcends borders, blending tradition with innovation and paving the way for what’s next.

Carnegie Hall has been home to many of these trailblazers—women whose voices, rhythms, and stories have echoed through its halls, captivating audiences and inspiring change. As we celebrate Nuestros sonidos, a festival dedicated to honoring Latin culture and its influence in the United States, we spotlight some of the incredible women who have made history at this iconic venue and continue shaping the sound of Latin music.

Celia Cruz: The Queen Who Defined Salsa

Few artists have shaped Latin music as profoundly as Celia Cruz. With her signature cry of “¡Azúcar!” and a career spanning more than five decades, she became the face of salsa, captivating audiences with her powerhouse vocals and larger-than-life presence. Cruz made her Carnegie Hall debut in 1963 as part of “Noche de Estrellas,” a benefit for Campo Borinquen. Cruz went on to perform at the Hall 11 more times alongside musicians such as Tito Puente, Paquito D’Rivera, and Arturo Sandoval before her final appearance on November 13, 2000. In 2024, her legacy was further honored with her very own US quarter, a testament to her enduring impact.

A true force in a male-dominated genre, Ivy Queen has led the charge in reggaeton’s rise to worldwide dominance. With anthems like “Quiero Bailar” and “Llego La Queen,” she has empowered generations with her bold lyrics and unmatched flow. In November 2024, she made history as the first reggaeton artist to headline at Carnegie Hall as part of Nuestros sonidos, further solidifying the genre’s place in the evolution of Latin music.

From her early days with Miami Sound Machine to her record-breaking solo career, Gloria Estefan revolutionized Latin pop. Hits like “Conga” and “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You” didn’t just top charts, they changed the sound of mainstream music in the US. Her influence extends far beyond music, paving the way for bilingual hits, championing Latin representation, and becoming a cultural icon. Estefan performed at Carnegie Hall in 1997 as a featured vocalist with the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band.

Chita Rivera is a trailblazer whose career helped redefine Broadway by bringing Latin stories and talent into the spotlight. As the first Latina to receive a Kennedy Center Honor, Rivera set a precedent for representation on stage. Her iconic roles in West Side Story, Chicago, and Kiss of the Spider Woman brought Latin identity to mainstream theater, proving that Latina performers belonged in leading roles. Her six appearances at Carnegie Hall were a celebration of her legacy, reinforcing the importance of Broadway’s deep ties to Latin culture and influence.

Natalia Lafourcade has redefined Latin American folk music, blending tradition with modern influences to captivate audiences worldwide. A multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy winner, she first performed at Carnegie Hall in 2022 and returned in 2024 for Nuestros sonidos. Her live album, Natalia Lafourcade: Live at Carnegie Hall, captures the magic of that moment, solidifying her impact on Latin music and culture in the US. Beyond her music, Lafourcade is a passionate advocate for preserving Latin American heritage, supporting cultural initiatives, and inspiring new generations to embrace their roots through song.

Omara Portuondo’s voice is Cuban music. A central figure in the legendary Buena Vista Social Club, she introduced the world to the soulful beauty of boleros and son cubano. She first performed at Carnegie Hall in 1998 during the original Buena Vista Social Club concert, immortalized in Wim Wenders’s award-winning documentary. She returned in 2010 as a guest of Angélique Kidjo, proving that her voice and artistry remain as powerful as ever. In October 2022, she joined Natalia Lafourcade on the Hall’s iconic stage, continuing her legacy of bridging generations through song.

Lila Downs has dedicated her career to honoring Mexico’s musical roots while pushing creative boundaries. Blending ranchera, cumbia, jazz, and Indigenous traditions, she has become one of Latin America’s most unique and socially conscious voices. Through her music, she amplifies the stories of Indigenous and migrant communities, using her platform for advocacy and cultural celebration. Downs has mesmerized audiences at Carnegie Hall twice, including a concert in November 2011 with selections from her acclaimed Pecados y Milagros album. Her ability to weave folkloric storytelling with contemporary influences has cemented her role as a cultural ambassador of Mexican music.

Brazilian soprano Bidú Sayão was one of the first Latin American opera singers to achieve global recognition. Her delicate yet powerful voice captivated audiences, and she became one of the most celebrated sopranos of her time. A favorite of composer Heitor Villa-Lobos, Sayão helped bring Brazilian classical music to the world stage, blending European technique with Latin soul. She graced Carnegie Hall’s stage 15 times, cementing her influence as one of the most important Latin American classical voices of the 20th century.

As the lead singer of La Santa Cecilia, Marisol “La Marisoul” Hernández gives voice to the bicultural experience, seamlessly blending cumbia, bolero, rock, and soul. Her music reflects the realities of Latino life in the US, with lyrics that champion immigrant narratives and social justice. La Santa Cecilia made its Carnegie Hall debut in 2024 as part of Nuestros sonidos, bringing the ensemble’s genre-defying fusion to one of the world’s most prestigious stages.

One of Mexico’s most innovative composers, Gabriela Ortiz has redefined classical music with her fearless fusion of Mexican folk traditions and contemporary orchestral techniques. She was part of Nuestros sonidos, where her work Antrópolis was performed by Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, a true homage to the complex and multicultural Latin American identity. In 2025, she and Dudamel won a Grammy Award for their album Revolución Diamantina, a groundbreaking work that continues to expand the boundaries of Latin classical music.

Argentine pianist Martha Argerich is one of the most influential musicians of the modern era. Known for her explosive energy and unparalleled technique, she has redefined the possibilities of classical piano performance. Her interpretations of works by Latin American and European composers showcase her masterful storytelling, proving that classical music is as bold and passionate as any other genre. Since her Carnegie Hall debut in 1974, she has returned to the venue 28 times, inspiring musicians with her fearless artistry.

Known as “La Negra,” Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa was a beacon of hope and resistance across Latin America. As a leading voice of the nueva canción movement, she championed social justice and human rights through her music. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in 1987, bringing the soul of Andean folk music to the global stage. Her emotionally charged performances and unwavering advocacy for the oppressed cemented her legacy as one of the most revered voices in Latin American history.

Chilean jazz vocalist Claudia Acuña has long been a leading voice in Latin jazz, blending the rich storytelling of South American folk with classic jazz traditions. A staple in New York’s jazz scene, she took part in Carnegie Hall’s Nuestros sonidos in February 2025, where she performed a heartfelt program of Latin American standards—songs that, as she beautifully notes, “have lived from generation to generation beyond language and borders.”

A true pioneer, Teresa Carreño was a Venezuelan pianist, composer, and singer whose extraordinary talent made her one of the most celebrated musicians of the 19th century. Known as the “Valkyrie of the Piano,” she was considered a child prodigy by the age of eight. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in 1897, performing with the New York Philharmonic, and went on to grace the Hall’s stage more than 30 times. Renowned for her power, brilliance, and depth, Carreño’s performances captivated audiences, securing her legacy as one of the most influential Latin American classical musicians of all time.

As the voice of Monsieur Periné, Catalina García has brought a fresh perspective to Latin American music, blending jazz, swing, and pop with traditional Colombian rhythms. Her charismatic stage presence and deep connection to her heritage have introduced global audiences to the richness of Latin sounds. She recently performed at Carnegie Hall as part of Nuestros sonidos, celebrating the fusion of past and present that continues to shape Latin music today.

From Celia Cruz’s electric salsa performances to Ivy Queen’s reggaeton revolution, the women of Latin music have continually pushed boundaries and redefined genres. Carnegie Hall has been a stage for Latin music’s evolution, from salsa and folk to reggaeton and classical compositions, echoing the voices of generations past and present. As Nuestros sonidos unfolds, we celebrate not just their legacies, but also the new wave of Latina artists who will continue to shape the sound of tomorrow.

Photography: Lafourcade by Lawrence Sumulong.