Omara Portuondo, the Latin Grammy-winning, legendary Cuban singer kicks off the year by lending her voice to a big name in the animated film industry. Portuondo accepted a role in Disney's Spanish version of 'The Princess and the Frog' ('Tiana y el sapo'), in which she is cast as Mama Odie, the benevolent, blind witch who lives in the Louisiana swamps where the story is set. Portuondo, who in 2009 was awarded a Latin Grammy for her record 'Gracias' (World Village / Montuno), also performs a song for the film's soundtrack called 'Dig a Little Deeper' in a duet with Cuban singer Chila Lynn who plays Tiana. A collection of jazz, gospel, blues and zydeco, the soundtrack captures the rich, musical landscape of New Orleans. Portuondo is considered a seminal figure in Cuba's fillin movement of sentimental song.
Along with Celia Cruz, she became one of the most influential female entertainers to emerge from the golden age of Cuban music, first as a dancer for Havana's famed Tropicana nightclub and then as a singer and founding member of Cuarteto D'Aida, an all female vocal group popular in the 50s and 60s. In the 90s, Portuondo's career was reignited when she formed part of the Buena Vista Social Club, and later this month she embarks on a U.S. tour, accompanied by Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca.
