Neris Amelia Martínez Salazar, better known as Juana Bacallao, is a Cuban singer, musician, cabaret actress, and popular figure born on May 26, 1925, in the Havana neighborhood of Cayo Hueso.
Orphaned at the age of six, she was placed in a convent school run by the Oblate Sisters, where she learned to play the piano. She also played tumbadoras. She was discovered by Obdulio Morales, a Cuban conductor, composer, and musician, who heard her singing while she was cleaning the stairs at the place where she worked as a domestic worker. The musician offered to audition her, and thus Juana's fortune changed. Her debut was at the Teatro Martí, alongside Obdulio, who composed the guaracha "Yo soy Juana Bacallao" for her, a name that she would carry for the rest of her life.
Juana shared the stage with the most valued and radiant figures of her time: Rita Montaner, whom she described as a close friend; Meme Solís, Moraima Secada, Celeste Mendoza, Nat King Cole, Bola de Nieve, Ninon Sevilla, Cantinflas, Rosita Fornés, Omara Portuondo, Rafaela Carrá, Benny Moré, Chano Pozo, and Elena Burque. Her artistic life in Cuba was centered around the nightlife of Havana in the main cabarets, such as Sans Sousi, Tropicana, Copa Room at the Riviera, Parisien at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, Salón Rojo at Capri, Caribe at the Hotel Habana Libre, Bar Alí, and Palermo.
It was presented internationally in the United States, France, Mexico, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Spain, and at the Opéra-Comique in Paris, where it had three successful performances.
Bacallao developed her lengthy career away from television, radio, or the grand theatrical productions that never wanted to promote her work, even years after the triumph of the revolution, viewing it as vulgar and inappropriate. Displaced to nightclubs, popular festivals, provincial carnivals, and bar shows, Juana forged her own style on stage, doing and undoing without following any acting rules, accompanied by a unique, exaggerated wardrobe and grotesque makeup. She would forget or change the lyrics on stage, improvise, and speak candidly with the audience, unafraid of misplaced comments. She did not master dance nor possess a great voice, but her authenticity made her one of the most beloved and recognized popular figures among all Cubans, who applauded her and eagerly awaited each performance.
In June 2015, he reunited with colleagues in Miami. There, he attended the show of presenter Carlos Otero TN3, of América TeVé, sharing the stage with Angel García (Antolín el Pichón and La Pia) and Boncó Quiñongo.
In November 2018, actor Will Smith, who was visiting Cuba, performed alongside Bacallao, the band Cimafunk, and Kelvis Ochoa at the Fábrica del Arte Cubano.
In 2018, at the age of 93, he joined the Cuban music project "Tradicionales de los 50," which was presented at the Sociedad Rosalía de Castro, where he continued to perform his legendary songs such as Mata Siguaraya and Yo Soy Juana Bacallao.
In July 2019, the popular Cuban singer Cimafunk released the music video for his song "Ponte pa' lo tuyo," featuring Juana Bacallao, El Tosco, and Roberto Carcassés.
He has received the Distinction for National Culture, the "Alejo Carpentier" Medal, and a Gold Record in Canada.
