Rita Guerrero
DOB Unknown – March 11, 2011
Rita Guerrero was the lead singer of popular Mexican rock band, Santa Sabina. Co-formed by Guerrero in Mexico City in 1989, the band built a solid following thanks in part to their gothic twist on progressive rock and jazz as well as Guerrero’s charismatic stage presence. During the late 80s, Guerrero moved from her home in Guadalajara to attend college in Mexico City. A theater student, she enlisted the help of a few local musicians to provide music for a play she had written. They quickly realized they had something special and became an actual band. Over the course of their run, they released seven albums including an MTV Latin Unplugged set. Santa Sabina went on hiatus in 2006 with Guerrero and fellow band mate, Leonel Perez continuing on as a chamber group, Ensamble Galileo. In January of 2010, Guerrero learned she had breast cancer. After a courageous year-long battle, Rita Guerrero succumbed to the cancer on March 11, 2011. She was 47.
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Jose “Crunchy” Espinosa was a founding member of Los Angeles Latin rock/funk/hip-hop collective, Ozomatli. Formed in 1995, the band, which has counted as many as many as 10 members, quickly became local favorites thanks in part to their highly energetic shows and dance friendly message songs. With a sound rooted deep in Latin folk and lyrics in both Spanish and English, it was no doubt they’d become hometown favorites. The band is also highly regarded for using its popularity to lend a voice to people of struggle. During the 2000 Democratic Convention, Ozomatli staged a large protest concert outside of the event. In 1998 they released their self-titled debut that included the uptempo song “Como Ves” which became a film and TV staple and helped the band build its sizable following outside of Southern California. They have since released several more records, toured the world many times over, and wowed audiences at the biggest music festivals across the United States. Their fans range from lovers of traditional Latin music, Salsa, hip-hop, jamband, and alternative rock. Outside of Ozomatli, Espinosa collaborated with the likes of the Black Eyed Peas, Ubalaye, Money Mark, and the Salvador Santana Band. Jose “Crunchy” Espinosa died of cancer on January 5, 2011.
Pascual Saura was the longtime bassist for the popular Spanish rock band, M-Clan. Formed as Murcielagos Clan in 1992, the band built a sizable following around the world. Saura has been with M-Clan since 1993. He died unexpectedly on Friday, December 17, 2010. Cause of death was not immediately released, but he had suffered a brain hemorrhage in recent months.
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Roberto Cantoral was a Mexican singer-songwriter who, over the course of some 60 professional years, scored several hit records including “El Reloj” and “El Triste.” Many of his songs are considered standards of Spanish language music. As a songwriter, it has been reported that upwards of 1000 artists have covered his songs. That list includes Joan Baez, Linda Ronstadt, Luis Miguel, and Placido Domingo. In later years, he composed music for popular telenovelas. Roberto Cantoral was 75 when he died following a massive heart attack on a flight from Brownsville, Texas to Mexico City. The plane made an emergency landing in Toluca, Mexico where he was pronounced dead.
Carlos Torres Vila was a popular Argentinian folk singer whose career exploded during the ’70s thanks to his good looks and romantic folk songs. He released around two dozen albums over the course of his career. Carlos Torres Vila was 63 when he passed away following a long illness.
Celia Cruz was an internationally famous Cuban salsa singer who has been rightfully called the Queen of Salsa. Over the course of a career that spanned 50 years, Cruz earned 23 gold albums, making her one of the most successful Cuban and salsa singers. Born in Havana, Cruz was exposed to its beautiful music at a very young age, and by the time she was in her early 20s, she was making recordings for local radio stations, and by the time she was 25, she was fronting a popular Cuban orchestra. In 1959, she and her husband moved to New York City and became U.S. citizens soon after. Cruz recorded several albums with 
Paulo Moura was a respected Brazilian saxophonist and clarinetist who, over the course of his career played Carnegie Hall with Sergio Mendes, performed on 
Born in Cuba, Olga Guillot became a popular Bolero singer who was called La Reina de Bolero, or the Queen of Bolero. Discovered while singing in local clubs in 1954, Guillot was soon whisked off to New York City where she recorded her first album for the respected Decca label. Over the next forty-odd years, she released over 20 albums. By the early ’50s, Guillot had relocated to Mexico where she soon became popular thanks to her music and budding acting career. In 1958, she did her first European tour and had the good fortune to sing alongside the great 
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