Orquesta Anacaona is a pioneering all-female Cuban orchestra founded in the 1930s by Concepción "Cuchito" Castro Zaldarriaga and her eight sisters. Originally performing son cubano, the group transitioned from traditional rhythms to modern styles, paving the way for women in Latin music. Known alternately as "La orquesta femenina de Cuba" and "Las mulatísimas del sabor," the ensemble was declared a Cultural Heritage of Cuba (Patrimonio Cultural de Cuba) fifty years after its inception, having performed uninterrupted with its original members until 1989.
In subsequent decades, the orchestra adapted to contemporary sounds, integrating genres such as salsa and timba into their repertoire. Their modern recordings include the albums "Como un Milagro" in 1996, "No Lo Puedo Evitar" in 2007, and "¡Ay!" in 2011. They celebrated their extensive career and legacy with the 2017 album "85 Años Defendiendo la Música Cubana."
Orquesta Anacaona has continued to release new music into the 2020s. Their recent work features the 2024 album "Gracias a la música" alongside the 2024 single "La Clave," maintaining their status as active figures in modern Cuban music.
