Biography
About Doris Lavin
Doris Teresa Lavín Baró was born in Colón, Matanzas, Cuba — a city rich in Afro-Cuban traditions and known as the land of ARARA where her family has its roots. Inspired by her uncles, known as “Los Baró,” (rumblers at heart), she began her cultural journey singing with her grandmother and performing locally.
By age 10, having sung in the Municipal Choir of Pioneeers in Colón since she was seven, she was winning awards at national festivals with the municipal children’s group ELECTRÓN 83 under the direction of maestro Gilberto Odisio, such as Varadero 83. Simultaneously, she performed as a soloist with guitarist Orlando Morales, interpreting works by composer Severino Mondeja, receiving significant awards and distinctions.
In 1989, Doris moved to Havana to pursue university studies while performing and touring internationally, including the Soviet Union, with the group Son Imagen
In 1990, with the group Son Las Que Son directed by Amparo César, she gained national recognition when trumpeter Lázaro Herrera of Septeto Nacional hailed her as one of Cuba’s best young soneras.
Over the years, she has collaborated with legends such as Félix Valoy, Guillermo Rubalcaba, Joseíto Fernández, Lázaro Miguel, and Lázaro Herrera.
Participating in the international festival Boleros de Oro in Havana as well as nationally broadcast radio and television programs such as “Mi Salsa”, she earned her significant popular acclaim, making her one of Cuba’s most cherished young soneras among musicians and dancers alike.
In 1991, while studying at ISA (Instituto Superior de Arte) in Havana under the Popular Singing program with repertoire coach Enriqueta Almanza and Professor Elizabeth de Grazia, she sang in groups such as SEPIAS DEL FUEGO at Cabaret Internacional Parisien (Hotel Nacional de Cuba), Sonora Caribeña, Las Chicas del Sol, Pachi y su Son (former singer of Adalberto Álvarez
Doris relocated to Italy in 1995 following a tour with Son Osain. As a member of Italian pop music groups, she participated in television broadcasts such as “Il mio capitano Italia 1.”
Having founded founded Cuban music ensembles Bailando Así and Sonidos de Cuba, she performed at prestigious festivals across Europe, including Fiesta Roma, Latinoamericando (Milan), Fiesta de la Unidad, Música Étnica Emmas Olbia 1999, alongside Juan De la Cruz (El Diamante Negro), known as Cotó, and alternating concerts with great maestros like Patato Valdés and Gregorio Hernández “El Goyo”in Rome
Her self-titled debut album (2003), featuring Javier Massó “Caramelo” and Dagoberto González Jr., earned critical acclaim for its vibrant fusion of salsa, son, and Afro-Cuban jazz, and led to comparisons to Celia Cruz and La Lupe by critics such as American journalist Christopher Loudon from Jazz Times, who dubbed her “The Cuban Spitfire” in 2003.
Between 2014 and 2016, she founded and toured with a Cuban music group in India.
In 2020, Doris worked as a producer on “Doris Lavin y Curayubata” in Curaçao.
In 2021, she launched her project “Doris Lavin & Su Combo” in Switzerland. The same year saw the publication of her Kindle book Cantos a los Orichas and the opening of an Afro-Lucumí singing channel on YouTube.
Today, Doris resides in Switzerland and continues to captivate audiences worldwide through concerts, festivals, and various cultural projects.
