Haydée Milanés Álvarez is a Cuban singer, songwriter, arranger, and music producer, the daughter of the renowned Cuban singer-songwriter Pablo Milanés. She was born on September 28, 1980, in Havana, Cuba.
From a very early age, influenced by the music and fame of her father, she showcased her artistic talents and began studying piano at the Manuel Saumell Conservatory at the age of 6, where she also studied choral conducting. She eventually graduated in music theory from the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory in Havana. At just 10 years old, she performed alongside her father, Pablo Milanés, interpreting the song "Canto a la abuela."
In 1999, she began her artistic career in the quartet of pianist and composer Ernán López-Nussa. Haydee has performed on national and international stages. Her music encompasses the genres of feeling, son, and traditional Cuban trova. Additionally, she is greatly influenced by Brazilian popular music.
In 2004, she released her first solo album, Haydée, produced and written by Descemer Bueno. This was followed by Haydée Milanés en Vivo (2008), A la felicidad (2010), Palabras, Haydée Milanés sings to Marta Valdés (2015), and Amor, Haydée Milanés duets with Pablo Milanés (2017).
In this album, he has joined his voice with figures such as Santiago Feliú, Aldo López Gavilán, David Torrens, Omara Portuondo, Pedro Aznar, David Blanco, Pablo Milanés, among others.
In January 2019, along with other artists, the Cuban singer toured some of the areas in Havana that were devastated by the F4 tornado to assist those affected.
Haydée Milanés pertenece al grupo de artistas e intelectuales cubanos que desde la isla apoyan un cambio en Cuba que termine con la censura, la represión y el maltrato que el gobierno da los activistas que realizan la oposición pacífica. La cantante ha mostrado públicamente su indignación con las autoridades luego de los sucesos ocurridos con los integrantes del Movimiento San Isidro (MSI) y he laments the lack of willingness from the authorities to engage in dialogue with their opponents.
In January 2020, Milanés made headlines by launching a solidarity initiative through Facebook with the Cuban LGBTQ+ movement Podemos Cambiar Las Cosas. This campaign aims to raise awareness, encourage reflection, and amplify solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in Cuba.
In March 2021, through his Facebook, he called for an end to the repression in Cuba against those citizens who think differently and express their views without fear.
"I am entirely in favor of the freedom of expression for all Cubans, and I call for an end to the persecution and arbitrary detentions of young artists, journalists, and any Cuban citizen for thinking differently and expressing it."
Haydée has expressed her support for Oscar Casanella, a member of the MSI, whom she visited on January 1, 2021. He was one of the prominent figures on the island who raised his voice for the release of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara in March 2020, who was imprisoned in the Valle Grande detention center for the alleged crime of property damage.
