Orquesta de la Luz

Orquesta de la Luz (オルケスタ・デ・ラ・ルス, Orukesuta de ra Ruzu, lit. "Orchestra of the Light") is a Japanese salsa band that was formed in 1984[1] and began performing and recording in 1990. The band sings in Spanish and is led by vocalist Nora, who returned to traditional salsa after the band broke up in the mid-1990s. It became widely famous in Latin America, particularly in Colombia, Puerto Rico, Panama, Mexico, Perú and other Caribbean area countries. The Japanese salsa band Orquesta de La Luz was quite a large one, whose main focal point (and only consistent member throughout their tenure together) was singer Nora. Throughout the years, Nora was joined by a rotating cast of musicians in the group, including Gen Ogimi, percussion; Carlos Kanno, percussion; Genichi Egawa, timbales; Gen Date, conga; Hiroshi Sawada, bass; Satoru Shoinoya, piano, keyboards; Shiro Sasaki, trumpet; Tatsuya Shimogami, trumpet; Yoshihito Fukumoto, trumpet; Hideaki Nakaji, trombone; and Taisei Aoki, trombone, while co-producer/arranger Sergio George contributed keyboards from time to time. The group built a substantial following in their homeland during the early to mid-'90s (with such releases as 1990's Orquesta de La Luz, 1991's Sin Fronteras, and 1992's Somos Diferentes), before switching their sound primarily to jazz and ballads. By 1995, Orquesta de La Luz had broken up, with Nora launching a solo career shortly thereafter (and returning to her former band's early salsa sound).[2]

Orquesta de la Luz
オルケスタ・デ・ラ・ルス
OriginTokyo, Japan
GenresSalsa
Years active1984 (1984)–1997 (1997)
2002 (2002)–present
Labels
Websitelaluz.jp
Members
  • Nora
  • Jin
  • Yoshiro Suzuki
  • Yoshi Iba
  • Yu Sato
  • Takuya Saito
  • Kazutoshi Shibuya
  • Isao Sakuma
  • Yasushi Gotanda
  • Daisuke Maeda
  • Hitoshi Aikawa

Timeline

1984: Formed an band in autumn. First live performance was at Harajuku. Performed live activities on a regular basis, mainly in live houses in Tokyo.

1986: We produced a demonstration tape that will lead to an eventual opportunity in NY.

1988: Nora brought the demonstration tape to NY's agent (Ritchie Bonilla) and takes the opportunity to live in NY.

1989: The first NY tour with the member's own expense in August. They signed a contract for the CD debut which was praised greatly by local people.[3]

1990: June 21 - Debut with BMG Victor (now BMG fan house) with 1st album "De La Luz". August - released the same album from RMM nationwide. Earned gold disc. (Gold Album Award) Nora performed a September National Tour (18 performances including NY, Boston, Miami, Puerto Rico) and was acknowledged on September 11 "NY Times" paper to raise a sensation. Debut album released in Latin America in October. November - Won first place in the US Billboard magazine Latin chart. Kept rank for 11 consecutive weeks.

1991: February - Debut album released in Spain. Won "Best Album of the YEar" at the March NY Critics Association Award (Ace Awards). All 14 performances in Central and South America tours in April (Venezuela, Martinique, French Guiana, Panama, Aruba, Curaçao etc.). Mobilizing 83,000 people. June 21 - 2nd album Salsa No Tiene Frontera'" Domestic release. August - World Tour (21 concerts in the USA, Spain, Mexico, etc., mobilizing 81,700 people. August 27 - 2nd album released in the US. Earned Gold disc. (Gold Album Award) Received the 33rd "Japan Record Awards" Special Award in December.

1992: February - 20 performances of the World Tour (USA, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Spain, March St Martin, Curaçao etc.) mobilized 185,000 people. Won "Best Album of the Year" and "Best of the Year" at the March NY Critics Association Award (Ace Awards). June - Hibiya Nozono, Osaka Shiroino sound, held a salsa festival presided over De La Luz. July - European tour (France, the Netherlands, Spain, etc.). In Spain, Nora appeared as representative of Japan on Seville Expo Japan Day. July 22 - 3 album "Somos Diferentes" released domestically. August 25 - the same album released in the US. September–November—34 performances of the World Tour (USA, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Costa Rica, Japan etc.).

1993: February appeared in the NBC national TV network "Jay Leno Show". June - 5 Tours in Europe (France, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, the UK etc.) All live performances. July - Transfer overseas distribution from RMM to BMG International. September 1 - Best album "Historia De La Luz" is released in 37 countries around the world. September 10 - Received the United Nations Peace Prize. The Mayor of NY awarded the certificate for the "NY Ace Award." September - October—14 tours of the World Tour (USA, Peru, Puerto Rico, Colombia etc.). Mobilized 64,400 people. November - Japan Tour (Tokyo Welfare Pension, etc.) 13 live performances. November 5 - [then] President Clinton awarded a letter of appreciation. November 21 - 4 album "La Aventura" released worldwide. December 31 - Appeared in the 44th NHK "Kohaku Utagoe Fight". Won the 35th Special Record Award.

1994: February - 8 live performances to the US tour (USA, Puerto Rico, Curaçao etc.). Movement of 42,250 people. April - Co-star with Carlos Santana at Earth Day Concert at Nippon Budokan. August - September—USA tour (USA, Mexico, Puerto Rico, NY, etc.) Served as Santana's concert opening act in San Francisco. November 2 - Christmas album "Feliz Christmas" released.

1995: February - Grammy award nominated for "Best Tropical Latin Album" category. May 24 - Released 5th album "Sabór De La Luz". September - USA tour (NY, Houston, Boston, Puerto Rico, Mexico etc.)

1996: March - The "100th anniversary of Japanese immigrants to Hawaii" celebration performance. July - Decided to suspend group activities for some time.

1997: "In July, we focused on the solo activities of the members and decided to dissolve the group." On July 14, performed a "Final Sayonara" concert at Akasaka Britz.[4]

Discography

Albums
  • De La Luz (1990) CD - BMG Victor
  • Salsa No Tiene Frontera (1991) CD - BMG Victor
  • Somos Diferentes (1992) CD - BMG Victor
  • Historia De La Luz (1993) CD - BMG Victor
  • La Aventura (1993) CD - BMG Victor
  • Feliz Christmas (1994) CD - BMG Victor
  • Sabor De La Luz (1995) CD - BMG Victor
  • Final Concert ¡Adios Amigos! (1998) CD - Dynaware
  • The Best Of Orquesta De La Luz (2000) CD - BMG Victor
  • ¡Banzaaay! (2004) CD - Avex Io
  • Arco Iris (2005) CD - Avex Io
  • Let's Salsa!! - The Best Salsa Dance Collection - Album (2007) CD - BMG Funhouse
  • ¡Caliente! (2008) CD - BookRidge Records
  • Ron Viejo (2009)
  • Very Best of Orquesta de la Luz (2010)
  • Billboard Live 2015 (2015)
  • Gracias Salseros (2019)

Singles
  • La Puerta (Yukihiro Fukutomi Remix) / Carnaval (Kyoto Jazz Massive Edit) / Carnaval (original mix) (2006) 12" vinyl - Avex Io

Album charts
Year Chart Album Peak
1990 Billboard Tropical/Salsa Salsa Caliente del Japón 1
1991 Billboard Tropical/Salsa Sin Fronteras 6
1992 Billboard Tropical/Salsa Somos Diferentes 13

[5]

References
  1. "Biography of De La Luz". De La Luz. Orquesta De La Luz. Archived from the original on 12 February 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  2. Prato, Greg. "Biography & History". All Music. RhythmOne Group. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  3. "Info". De La Luz. Orquesta De La Luz. Archived from the original on 12 February 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  4. "Biography of De La Luz". La Luz. Orquesta De La Luz. Archived from the original on 12 February 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  5. "Orquesta de la Luz | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
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