Soraya: A Life of Music, a Legacy of Hope - Hardcover

by Soraya (Author)

From the moment I met Soraya I knew she was a winner, an amazingly talented and beautiful woman with something very spe-cial. Her total dedication in everything she did and her selfless efforts to help others were and still are an inspiration not only to those of us who have had the privilege to be around her, but also to the thousands of people who still maintain her name and mission. Soraya's courage to face every challenge is something that I will never forget . . . her words of hope and her music will live on in our souls.

Front Jacket

Soraya, a Grammy(R)-winning singer- songwriter and captivating performer, opened concerts for Sting and Natalie Merchant and went on to become one of the most acclaimed voices in Latin pop and rock. Among her numerous hits, she had two number-one songs on Billboard's Latin Pop Airplay charts, and she recorded five albums during her career.

Her story is a journey of courage, optimism, and compassion. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, the gifted singer-songwriter and rising star could have withdrawn from the world. Instead, she threw her heart, her time, and her talent into a passionate effort to raise breast cancer awareness among Latina women, who are more likely to die from the disease than are other women.

What moved Soraya to dedicate so much of her energy to others during her time of greatest personal need? In Soraya: A Life of Music, a Legacy of Hope, Soraya reveals in her own words how the values and beliefs she learned from her family helped her find success in her music career. She shows how these same values--to treat others as you want to be treated; help the poor, even when you are poor yourself; and live your life with all the strength you have--gave her the inner fortitude and drive to fight her cancer and to reach out to others at the same time. She also discusses the tragic family history that made her message so poignant: her mother, her grandmother, and her aunt were all taken by the disease.

The tragedy of Soraya's story is outweighed by the joy and energy with which she lived her life, both before and during her illness. Her writing communicates a remarkable ability to treasure her past and savor the present while always looking and working toward the future. Through her celebration of life, she offers us a legacy of hope to help sustain the spirit through whatever difficulties life may bring.

Among Soraya's talents was a gift for forming deep and long-lasting friendships. Along with many photos of her taken with family, friends, and fellow performers, this book includes memories from teachers, schoolmates, coworkers, and relatives who offer their own insights into Soraya's life. This unique collection of photographs and memories, the first time in print, creates an intimate portrait of a very public woman. Complete with song lyrics and poems, Soraya is both a loving tribute to a life well lived and a powerful inspiration for anyone coping with illness or personal tragedy.

Back Jacket

"From the moment I met Soraya I knew she was a winner, an amazingly talented and beautiful woman with something very spe-cial. Her total dedication in everything she did and her selfless efforts to help others were and still are an inspiration not only to those of us who have had the privilege to be around her, but also to the thousands of people who still maintain her name and mission. Soraya's courage to face every challenge is something that I will never forget . . . her words of hope and her music will live on in our souls."

--Ricky Martin

"Sometimes in life you meet someone special, and you know in that moment that they have a greater view on life . . . Soraya was one of those people. She remains a strong and positive memory for me."

--Bob Waldron, President, Yoplait USA

"Soraya's music is infinitely intimate and precious, crafted and executed with the love and care of an artisan. There are few complete artists, but Soraya is one of them-- a composer, guitarist, producer, arranger, and singer with a particularly emotive voice. The measure of her worth in the eyes of the music industry was obvious during the 2004 Latin Grammys, when she won the Grammy for the newly created Best Singer-Songwriter category, besting icons like Juan Gabriel, Serrat, and Leon Gieco. Many will remember Soraya as a spokesperson, an educator, and a source of inspiration for so many people who battle cancer. Yet her most lasting legacy is the one she continues to transmit through her songs, her music, and her guitar."

--Leila Cobo, Billboard?magazine

Author Biography

Soraya, a soulful singer whose music addressed topics ranging from romance to social concerns, was born in New Jersey and raised in both Colombia and the United States. She launched a promising career in the late 1990s, and her 2003 album, the self-produced Soraya, won the Latin Grammy(R) for best singer-songwriter album. Soraya was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2000 and lost her battle with it in May 2006 at the age of 37. She was a powerful advocate and spokesperson for breast cancer awareness. For more information on Soraya, visit www.soraya.com.