Orquesta de la Luz

Orquesta de la Luz (オルケスタ・デ・ラ・ルス^?) ("Orchestra of the Light") is a Japanese salsa band that was formed in 1984 and began performing and recording in 1990. The band sings in Spanish (although the majority of the group doesn't know what they are singing), 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 back to her former band's early salsa sound).

From their website:

Nora said "I made a New York tour with my own expense in 1989. I made a big break with this tour and debuted in Japan and overseas with "DE LA LUZ" from BMG Victor in 1990. This album accomplished a great achievement of winning 11 consecutive first place ranks in the national Latin chart. Its activities are recognized worldwide and include the United Nations Peace Prize, the Grammy Nomination, the Japan Record Award Special Award (twice), the New York Critics Association Award, the tour in 22 countries worldwide, the NHK "Koharu Utagoe Battle" appearance, and a remarkable success including co-starring with Carlos Santana. [The band] dissolved in 1997, but resumed activities again in 2002. "Orquesta de la Luz" collaborated with domestic artists (Yosui Inoue, Yumi Matsutoya, Kazufumi Yamazaki, Masayoshi Yamazaki, Maki Oguro, etc.), made international tours, event appearances, music provision, had a Tamori Cup appearance, made school performance for children, etc. with the "Latinization plan of Japan" as a theme, I continue to work actively to make Japan brighter and healthy."

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Wikipedia