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).

Contents

• Albums
• Singles
• Songs
• References

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."

Our Story: 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.

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 11th "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, Curacao 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, Curacao etc) mobilized 185,000 people. Won "BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR" and "BEST OF 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 22nd - 3rd 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 1st - 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 21st - 4th 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, Curacao 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.