Omara Portuondo

My parents played Omara when I was growing up! I m glad to say that I enjoyed her presence before she gets too old!

I had a great time with my parents. The musicians were amazing. Omara bless her heart she is tired but still has a divine voice. I wanted to hear anything from Buena Vista Social Club but they did none of that. She barely sang 'Dos Gardenias' at the end. Bless her heart she is amazing and still beautiful. The music was awesome.

The show was announced using Buena Vista Social Club, and it turned out to be Omara with a 4 men band. The musicians were good but the show was not what I expected. I did not mind spending the money I spent for a good cuban music show, but I did not get it. I brought my son who is 9 years old expecting to see a real SALSA show. I was seated on the DD row and people in front of me kept on standing up. That was terrible. In any case, for me it was a so so, fair show.

Fabulous Latin jazz with phenomenal clarinet by Anat Cohen and violin by Regina Carter Don't miss it

This was really incredible... the energy was fantastic!

They (Omara and Eliades) did great, awesome show with some technical difficulties with the sound system, by the end of the show Omara decided to gave us another song and the sound engineer decided to shut dowm the equipment, she still giving the song without amplification, wrong call House of Blues Houston

Excellent singing and a wonderful band, with jazzy arrangements of Omara's repertoire that much-exceeded my expectations. Greatly recommended! This show is a source of pride for Latin America.

Her voice is incredible! She loves to perform -- not for herself, but for her audience. And the Cuban musicians who accompanied her were also outstanding.

Her voice is clear and smooth with lots of spunk still in her. Quite an entertainer her style travels the ages. Back up band was superb!

They started RIGHT ontime and her voice is amazing, you can not hear her age at all. The group playing her music; AMAZING, they ALL were SO GOOD. We enjoyed the music as much as we enjoyed Omara's singing.

Great show! Omara is an example of how life should be lived!

Although time has undeniably taken a toll on her voice, hearing Omara is still enchanting. Her wonderful presence and charm make up for the loss, and she still has incredible lungs and can hold notes for the longest time. With old beloved songs that everyone wanted to hear, and with more recent ones from Brazil and even France, she charmed her audience at Lisner Auditorium on Saturday, November 6. She was accompanied by four brilliant young Cuban musicians and by a wonderful conductor/guitarist/singer from Brazil. The whole group was perfect, and each solo showed the amazing ability, enthusiasm, and musicianship of each one of its members. For us old lovers of Cuban music this was a great and nostalgic night that will not be forgotten, as it might be the last time that we can hear Omara.

I felt really embarrassed for poor Omara. She looked senile and out of touch...poor thing had to read the words to her own songs. Even her own band looked embarrassed by her strange antics on stage. On top of that they didn t play any Cuban standards until the last song. It was all mediocre Latin-jazz. I was most disappointed. This Cuban legend is really being poorly managed.

Wonderful to have had the opportunity to see Omara Portuando on stage! Spectacular! The musicians were fantastic! Beautiful show with this legendary artist.

I've never seen Omara Portuondo perform before and I am certainly glad that I now have. Her voice is beautiful, her stage presence is wonderful, her band excellent. I took a friend, who had never heard of Portuondo, for her birthday and she loved it. Honestly, her concert was down right inspiring. She gives lots of props to her band, she connects with the audience, talking to us, singing to us, dancing for us. And while my Spanish isn't great, I loved the fact that she communicated in her own language and that her pride in Cuba and its wonderful musicians was really evident. Everybody around me was having a wonderful time. I'd love to see her perform again!

At 80, Omara continues to flourish and to enthrall. She is a true master of song and performance, with a voice both silken and throaty, subtle and robust. She drew my soul out of my body right onto her lips. The musicians on stage with her were each and every one a master of their art. It was a privilege to be there.

Omara Portuondo was amazing. In Lisner Auditorium, Omara sang a combination of bolero and Cuban "son." Since I prefer bolero to the fast tempo son, I was more interested on her rendition of the classic bolero repertoire. E.g., Omara was superb, impeccable, really amazing on her rendition of Dos Gardenias, accompanied by the fabulous solo guitar of her Brazilian musical director (Fabio Junior? The sound system of Lisner needs improvement, because when Omara or her music director spoke the sound was not discernible). Veinte anos was another great bolero that she sang, and Agustin Lara's Ronda. Omara's band, consisting of a pianist, double-bass player, drummer, percussionist, and guitarist is great. They are superb musicians and visibly enjoy playing together. Every musician, except for the pianist who is a bit of a show man, is sedate and elegant. Particularly, I liked the guitarist, drummer and bass player, because they were great without trying to be crowd pleasers. The performance of Omara Portuondo and her impressive band was a memorable experience. Dos Gardenias brought tears of joy to my eyes. I missed Hasta Siempre, but perhaps singing it would have been an afront to certain members of her DC audience. Viva Cuba!

Omara and her band are simply remarkable - I enjoyed it so much my hands hurt from clapping. Spectacular - a show not to be missed. We were all blown away. We left energized and inspired. AMAZING! Don't wait another second... get your tickets now!

Omara Portuondo is a living legend. She allowed the audiende to witness a piece of Cuban magic and we all left the theater in awe of her talent. She is not only a wonderful singer but an amazing performer who pours her soul into every song and makes the whole experience feel completely sincere. The musicians were superb.

Omara is the embodyment of Cuban music she pours her heart out in every song so much so it will make you cry. Like the island from which she came, Omara captures the bittersweetness that embraces the land and the human heart. Well done!!!!!

To see such grace, such legend that the world does not know about is be be spectacled and dazzled with quiet dignity. She can only be compared to a cuban Lena Horne. The music was in itself a testimony to what is well written translates to all languages. She can absolutely captivate and audience into respecting the elder stateswoman of cuban music. I am honored to have been in that audience.

I am so happy I attended this concert with Omara Portuondo. I loved the way she has maintained her voice and stamina through the years. I was highly impressed by the group of professional musicians that form the band accompanying her. They are all highly professional and played flawless. Her son opened the show and several instrumental pieces that were quite original, and at the same traditional cuban flavor. I am certain her son will be quite popular in the near future.

The concert was every bit what I expected it to be. A natural, wonderful performance of one of the best voices of Latin music world. There are few singers who can sing with no instrumentals and fill a concert hall with their voice. Omara is one of them. Music was coming from her soul, one moment her voice was soft and in the next moment it was like a storm, she lives the songs, not just interprets them. All the band players were outstanding as well! I could have just stayed there and listen to them for a long while!... My husband and I went to this concert as our (late) Valentine gift, and it was truly a precious gift we gave each other. Definitely, would go again, if she has another concert in our area. No doubt about that!

Despite of her age she still on top of the world.... It was a real privilege to have the opportunity to see this leyend performing... Love Omara Portundo!!!!!!!!!!

When Omara first came out on stage, she had a barely audible voice and had to read off lines...so my wife and I though she must have lost her magic (she is 80 years old after all)...but we couldn't have been more wrong! By the end of the 2.5 hr show her voice was incredible and she had the crowd in her hand...the entire venue (Town Hall, NYC) was electrified and sang along her songs such as "Besame"...Gracias Omara!

It was a night that went beyond what I expected. Every piece of music was captivating, musicians where all in tune and Omara was tenderly angelical! What a voice, what a wonderful human being. Thanks to those responsible for bringing her to NY.

Omara Portundo was amazing. She is over seventy and sings with the energy of a twenty year old. Part of the excitement was that she was part of a true groups. She was constantly pointing to her wondrous grup of musicians who were amazing and celebrated each other. They performed both with her and as a groups. The young pianist who opened for her played with his whole sould. His body arched above the piano in a surge of feeling while his hand played intricate Afro Cuban rhythms as if they had a life of their own. The msusicians were of different ages and colors. Cuba's free art conservatories for gifted Cuban children mean that that tiny island produces an amazing number of highly skilled musicians. The concert was an immersion in love of life. I am grateful to have that experience of pure joy.

Amazing performer, great band. Its wonderful to see a performer of her caliber, with a career spanning sixty years, sing at her level. Inspiring.

Omara and her beautiful voice filled the Town Hall last night ! Her Voice strong and her range was breathtaking ! The band was first class. A Magnificent evening .

Omara is a trooper on stage, a eighty year old woman that knows how to make the audience move with beautiful songs, classic tunes from the 30's, 40's and beyond, a true artist that never get's old.

awsome night with a romantic kick. took me back to my younger years. unbelievable performance

A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!!!! Such a warm lady, what a great voice and presence.

A real disappointment. I paid to hear all time Cuban music and what I got was contemporary latin jazz with a legendary Cuban artist trying to keep up. Did not work for me!