Musical Interludes with Leslie Cartaya Thursday November 12, 2026

Leslie Cartaya, a talented Cuban singer and songwriter, was born in Havana, Cuba, where her love for music blossomed from a young age. Growing up in a tight-knit family that often spent warm afternoons improvising melodies, Leslie was immersed in the sounds of Cuban music, jazz, and American funk, which later shaped her artistic identity. Singing became her therapy, a way to express her emotions—joy, passion, sadness, and even melancholy.

Her musical journey began with her first album No Pares, a 19-track production where she took on the roles of co-producer and musical arranger. Out of the 19 tracks, 18 were written by Leslie herself, with one bolero included as a nod to her Cuban heritage. The album, blending Caribbean, Afro-American, Afro-Latin, and Latin American rhythms, earned her widespread recognition, and it reached as high as fifth place on the Miami Latin Reverbnation Charts. The official CD release concert took place at the Miami Dade County Auditorium on April 18 as part of the Miami on Stage series, sponsored by Fundarte.

Leslie’s roots in music go deep, influenced by Cuban and Brazilian traditions, and she was taught early on by her cousins, who played the guitar while she sang nursery rhymes. Her formal training included studies at the National School of Arts in Cuba, where she graduated in Choral Conducting. Her musical path also saw her collaborate with her cousin, José Pepín Rivero, before joining the group Palo in 2003. As the lead vocalist of Palo, she fused Cuban and African-American styles and gained recognition for her unique voice.

In 2013, Leslie decided to launch her solo career, traveling to Panama to promote No Pares. Since then, she has become a celebrated figure in the Latin music world, known for her mix of salsa, tropical music, and bolero. She has performed in numerous countries, including Puerto Rico, Panama, Venezuela, Peru, and Costa Rica, and appeared on popular TV programs like Sábado Gigante.

Leslie’s musical catalog includes hits such as:

• “Baila”
• “No Pares”
• “Improvisado”
• “Se Va”
• “Abrázame”
• “Esa Es Mi Tierra”
• “Olvidarte”
• “La Candela”
• “Bolero Blue”
• “Lo Mejor de Mis Locuras”

In addition to No Pares, Leslie released her second album Llévame Contigo in 2015, featuring collaborations with Latin artists like Latin Frest and Descemer Bueno. Songs from this album include:

• “Improvisando”
• “Yo Quiero Tu Amor”
• “Por Verte”

In 2018, she released more singles such as “Baila” and “Llévame Contigo”, followed by tracks like “Quédate Conmigo”, “Cuando Todo Pase”, and “Sonríe Y Calla” in 2020. Between 2021 and 2023, Leslie continued to release hits, including “Te Vas”, “Relax”, and a version of “Yo Viviré”, originally by Cuban legend Celia Cruz. Her music has reached international audiences, particularly in countries like Mexico, Spain, Colombia, and the United States.