De Grasse was born on 28 October 1921 in Panama City, Panama.[1][2] She sang from a young age and became a professional artist aged 14,[1] recording the songs "La Guajira," "La Morena Tumba Hombres," and "Hagan Ruedas."[3] Her music was played on the City of Colón la Voz de la Víctor Radio Station (today the CPR La Primera Radio Station).[4]
De Grasse collaborated with other Panamanian artists, such as organist and pianist Avelino Muñoz in 1938,[5] and became known as the "Queen of the Tamborera" in Panama and as "The Empress of Song" in the wider Latin America.[2][6]
De Grasse married Dominican vocalist Joseph Ernest "Negrito" Chapuseaux in 1942. The couple formed a musical trio called "Los Alegres Tres" with their friend Simmón Damirón in 1945.[1] They moved to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.[2]
In the 1960s, de Grasse moved to New York City, United States,[7][8][4] where she continued her career and performed with jazz musicians including Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Benny Moré, Tito Puente and Pedro Vargas.[2][6][7] She toured to Europe in 1963.[9]
De Grasse died on 14 March 1978 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, aged 56.[2][6]
