[1][2][3][4] She started her professional singing career under the aegis of Obdulio Morales, who composed the famous guaracha "Juana Bacallao", which became her stage name.
Bacallao was born Neris Amelia Martínez Salazar in the working-class neighborhood of Cayo Hueso in Havana.
[2] Throughout her career she has toured around the world and performed with such artists as Nat King Cole, Bola de Nieve, Chano Pozo, Beny Moré, Rita Montaner, Los Zafiros and Celeste Mendoza.
[2][3][6] In 2011 Bacallao toured the United States and Puerto Rico, and appeared in several Spanish-language television stations.
[5] Bacallao appeared in the September 2015 Cuba episode of the CNN series Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.