Nobody in Cuba knows her as Amelia Martinez Salazar Neris. Long time ago another name replaced the original, since then, it become what it is: Juana Bacallao. If rum, music and cigars are symbols of this island, so is Juana. Some call her the Black Goddess of all time, but in reality, she describes herself only as a humble and hard-working artist. Juana is a Cuban “jodedora”. She laughs and dances and jokes with everyone.
Without any hint of modesty she always emphasizes well-mannered and cultivated she is. While success has accompanied her, the fact remains that it was difficult to achieve it before 1959 and, after the Revolution; she had to face several obstacles. Thousands of stories revolve around her. To go to the market or visit a friend she dresses as if she were to go into stage. She combines words, sometimes incoherent, to praise or curse someone.
“I have the Cat upside down”, and it takes you a while to understand she is referring to the Havana cabaret El Gato Tuerto (One-eyed Cat) where she performs after midnight So is Juana. Ours … and the world´s.
Juana, is it is true that as a child you escaped from a convent school?
Yes, boy. I escaped. I was a phenomenon. Phenomena that come, big things in life, you know.
Your discovery to the art world is thanks to the composer Obdulio Morales, how do you recall your time with this musician?
It was a pretty tough stage and quite lasting. Obdulio to me is the symbol of a great man, because he made many stars including Merceditas Valdés. Obdulio composed the guaracha “I am Juana Bacallao” and hear me out. That really sounded high in all Cuba. It was a terrible scandal at the time. That was the single that took me to the top. You know I’m honest, my brother.
So what happened?
All hell got loose and I became famous in Cuba. Hey, I’m a trained person. Everyone knows that I have world class, I am not a nobody.
Your work in movies allowed you to work with successful stars, which ones do you remember with greatest pleasure?
There were many. Among them, the great Ninon Sevilla. Oh, boy what a woman she was! She worked with me in the Sevilla club. She has lived a lot in Mexico. The first film of mine was “Yamba-O” with Ninon Sevilla and Martha Jean-Claude worked in that one too. My scene was me doing the laundry. I think I have like two movies with Ninon. Another success of mine was “Little Riding Hood is having fun”, a cabaret magazine run by Joaquin Riviera with Meme Solis and other stars. Boy, what can I tell you! We had the Capri packed for two years straight.
They say that your performance in the United Nations (UN) was described as sensational, is that true?
That was awesome. There I was next to the ladies Algeria Fragoso and Omara Portuondo. But I really did it, child. This lady Juana brought back two trophies.
Juana, tell me how did you meet Michael Jackson?
Listen, there are great things, my brother. That day Omara and the Tropicana show staff were in the show and then they started shouting: Juana look what you have up front! Juana look! And while I am walking I see him I start to shake him. These are stories, kid. Beautiful things.
In Paris you shared the stage with other important figure in the musical world…
Yes, with the distinguished lady Celia Cruz who sent for me in the Latin Quarter. I made a huge fuss. The meeting 40 years later.
You even went to Hollywood, Juana?
They sent for me from “Jolivu” a long time again, to star in the movie “The Santera” what a fantastic thing! Do not make me blue. The director of “Jolivu” had a crush on me. They said I was cursed, I was fire, I was a very good artist. And I enjoyed it all.
When you are on stage, what are your “techniques” to engage the public?
Look, I’ve done all my stuff without teachers, I was born with me. My struggle comes from inside. I do what nature gave me; I would not go by script or anything like that. The art is born, the art is not studied.
Excuse the audacity but, how old you are?
Well, I am exactly what I represent.
How does Juana Bacallao see herself?
As an artist I am very simple, I am a simple woman. I owe it to the people, for the people were who made me a star. This (gift) was given to me by the nature, I have not studied anything. Sure, I struggle. Luckily fate gave me something, because there are women uglier than me. Yes, there coconut that are more coconut and hold me with me I’ve been aggressive. Moreover, the people of Cuba known that Juana Bacallao has left her skin on the stage.
(by Jaime Masó)
