Anacaona: The Amazing Adventures of Cuba's First All-girl Dance Band

Synopsis

Havana, 1932, and greengrocer Matias Castro, father of 13 children, is bankrupt. Cuchito, his eldest daughter, has the idea of starting an all-girl orchestra to bring in some cash. Jazz, mambo, rumba, cha-cha-cha, Latin jazz - 'Anacaona' perform every evening in local street cafes. In no time at all they conquer their audiences' hearts with their infectious music and cheeky lyrics. Alicia Castro, the author of this extraordinary memoir, played saxophone and later led the orchestra. Now in her 80s, Alicia looks back on the scintillating world that she and her sisters inhabited: their international breakthrough, concerts in Paris, New York and appearances with all the jazz greats.