After working with several well-known groups, including the Ernán López Nussa quartet, Milanés became a soloist in 2002 with her first album, Haydée (EMI Mexico), produced and composed by Descemer Bueno. Milanés was soon recognized as one of the most appealing and genuine voices in Cuban popular music.
She has given concerts at major venues and events, including the San Sebastian International Jazz Festival and Cartagena’s La Mar de Músicas (Spain); the Feria de las Flores (Medellin, Colombia); the Heineken Festival and the Latin American Festival in Sao Paulo (Brazil); La Trastienda (Buenos Aires, Argentina); the Trovafest Festival (Querétaro, Mexico); the Jazz Café (San José, Costa Rica); and the Living Room, SOBs, and the Zinc Bar jazz club (New York, United States).