Azúcar Negra, a Cuban popular dance music orchestra. It was founded by prominent Cuban composer Leonel Limonta, who has served as its general director. The group’s debut took place in April 1998.

The orchestra is made up of four lead vocalists, a rhythm section, and a brass section. It currently consists of one female singer and three male vocalists.

Shortly after their release on the Cuban musical scene, exactly three months later, Azúcar Negra was awarded the New Orchestra of Cuban Music award. Following this recognition, they embarked on their first international tour and traveled to the United States, where they performed in important venues in New York City, where world-renowned music figures perform, such as the temple of salsa, Copacabana, and Lincoln Center.

That same year, 1998, they recorded four songs, including “Vengo de estreno” (I’m Coming Out), “Traced by Salsa and Timba,” and “Te traicionó el subconsciente” (The Subconscious Betrayed You). These were demo pieces composed by the director of Azúcar Negra.

In 2001, they recorded their debut album, which was a huge success and well-received by both critics and fans. This studio album was released under the title Andar Andando.

The songs in Azúcar Negra’s repertoire are composed by Leonel Limonta and feature a distinct influence of Latin jazz and intricate rhythmic structures. They primarily play timba, but other Cuban musical genres are also featured in their repertoire.

Among the pieces included in this Cuban orchestra’s repertoire are: La palabra (The Word); Lo promesa es deuda (What is promised is a debt); Ay, candela (Ay, candela), a song by Ibrahim Ferrer and composed by Faustino Oramos; Toque natural (Natural Touch), performed with Pedrito Calvo, Mayte, and other singers.

Throughout its career, Azúcar Negra has undertaken more than twenty international tours, visiting countries all over the world, including: Germany, Spain, Italy, Norway, Poland, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, France, England, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Canada, Saint Lucia, Jamaica, and the United States.

Azúcar Negra has shared the stage with notable artists and musical groups such as Charanga Habanera; Van Van, led by maestro Juan Formell; Nora Jones; Roberta Flack; Julio Iglesias; Aventura; Boys II Men; Don Omar; Dionne Warwick, among others.

The Azúcar Negra orchestra’s concerts are characterized by daring and complex choreography with sensual movements and a powerful stage presence, elements that have earned them the preference of younger generations and placed them among the leading popular dance music groups in Cuba.

Among the awards that Azúcar Negra exhibits we can mention: Cubadisco Award (2002) and EGREM Award (2004).

Discography: Walking and Walking (2001), Without Looking Back (2004).