Canela, a Cuban popular female music group. It was created by Zoe Fuentes Aldama, who has served as its director since its founding in August 1989.

The group is made up of young musicians who graduated from higher education. Its members play a variety of musical instruments, including the oboe, clarinet, violin, piano, and flute, among others.

Canela has a varied and vast repertoire, composed of diverse Cuban and foreign musical genres, including Salsa, Son, Cha-Cha-Cha, Ballads, Latin Jazz, and Caribbean music.

In 2003, Canela performed with notable success in Denmark alongside a theater company called Doctor Dante of Denmark, directed by renowned playwright Nilcolai Cederjhom. The performances took place at the Tivoli Garden Theater in Copenhagen, with musicians and actors performing alongside each other. The performances ran for almost six months.

In 2004, they performed at the Martinique Clarinet Festival. In 2005, Canela participated in Miriam Makeba’s grand concert in Havana, to which they were specially invited. In Puerto Rico, in 2009, they participated in the Cubadisco Gala, where they shared the stage with the popular Wilkins.

In March 2010, they began a national and international tour, accompanied by the renowned artist Wilkins, who traveled to Cuba to share the experience with Canela. That same year, they earned praise from the incomparable Omara Portuondo.

Canela is a musical orchestra with extensive experience. In addition to participating in musical shows, they have also ventured into film, as evidenced by their participation in Canadian director Brian Ramsey’s film, Cuban Fire.

The work of this renowned Cuban group is broadcast worldwide through various television stations and channels, including NHK in Japan and Canal Plus+ in Martinique, Guadeloupe, and France.

Canela has participated in numerous jazz and salsa festivals around the world: the Rum Festival in the Cayman Islands; the Cigar Festival in Senegal; and Spice Jazz in Grenada; to name a few. They have also performed at several editions of the Jazz Plaza Festival, held annually in Cuba.

Canela has taken his music to various stages in different regions of the world, including Japan, Holland, France, Norway, Denmark, Martinique, Dominica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Greece, Spain, Switzerland, Guadeloupe, Italy, Senegal, Turkey, Germany, England, Sweden, and Finland, to name a few.

This orchestra has shared the stage with soloists and musical groups, including major music stars such as Phil Collins, Miriam Makeba, Wilkins, Vince Mai, Kool and the Gang, and Herbie Hancock, among others. From the national scene, to name a few, Chucho Valdés and Los Papines.

Canela’s discography includes several productions, including Cien Lindadas Cubanas, Llegó el Momento, and Échate Canela.

Canela’s latest album was released on March 4, 2010, at Bellas Artes (Trocadero Street between Zulueta and Monserrate Streets, Old Havana, Havana). Titled De Medio Lao, it encompasses a variety of musical genres, including reggae, timba, pop, and son. It features songs written by the group’s members and was conceived with the faithful purpose of celebrating the orchestra’s 20th anniversary. This album was produced by the Colibrí record label, produced by Joaquín Betancourt, and musically directed by Jesús Fuentes.

In every Canela performance, the orchestra’s high level of performance is evident. They shine not only for the music they play, but also for presenting a show packed with choreographic elements, brimming with energy, and, above all, excellent Cuban music.

Discography: One Hundred Cuban Lindadas, The Time Has Come, Throw in Cinnamon, Hitting the Balls, Live in La Zorra y El Cuervo, Jazzing Like Canela, Partying, Con-Fusion and From Halfway There.