Orquesta De La Luz ("Orchestra Of The Light" in Spanish) were formed in Tokyo as a unique Japanese Salsa band in 1984 and started performing at the clubs such as the Shibuya Crocodile, and Roppongi Pit Inn. The lead singer, Nora, visited NYC with a demo tape that finally gave the band an opportunity to perform in NYC in 1989. The first NYC tour was successful enough that the band had a chance to release their debut self-titled album "Salsa Caliente Del Japon (Hot Salsa From Japan / 日本からの熱いサルサ)" through BMG Victor Inc. in Japan and RMM Records in the US in 1990, which received the Gold Disc Award and hit number 1 on the Billboard Latin Salsa Chart and remained for 11 consecutive weeks. The band has since visited 22 countries including USA, South Central America, and Europe, released many albums, and received the Outstanding Award at the Japan Record Award (1991 & 1993), the United Nations Peace Medal Award (1993), performed at the NHK Kohaku Utagassen (1993), and nominated for the Grammy Award 'Tropical Latin Album' (1995). In 1997 the band was dissolved in order to focus on the members' solo activities and was reorganized for the charity event World Peace Music Festival in 2002. The reaction to this event the following year, WPMF Vol.2, made them restart their activities. In July 2004, the band released their first album in nine years, "!Banzaaay!", released by Avex Io in Japan, under a new Orquesta De La Luz, and started developing their energetic live act at many events and festivals, as well as making a successful nationwide concert tour. They also toured Europe after an interval of ten years, while in July 2005 a new album "Arco Iris" was released, featuring bonus tracks from popular electronic/crossover artists; a Yukihiro Fukutomi remix, and a Kyoto Jazz Massive re-edit (both tracks also featuring on a separately released vinyl 12"), and the group appeared on TV and performed frequent live performances. In 2008, album "!Caliente!" was released. Band members: Nora (vocals); Gen Ogimi (percussion) (left after album "Sin Fronteras"), Carlos Kanno (percussion); Genichi Egawa (timbales) (left after second album "Sin Fronteras"); Gen Date (conga) (left after album "Somos Diferentes"); Hiroshi Sawada (bass) (left after fourth album "La Aventura", replaced by Hiroyasu Ito); Satoru Shoinoya (piano, keyboards); Shiro Sasaki, (trumpet); Tatsuya Shimogami (trumpet) (first album "Orquesta de La Luz" only, replaced by Shigeru Terauchi); Yoshihito Fukumoto (trumpet); Hideaki Nakaji(trombone); Taisei Aoki (trombone). Co-producer/arranger Sergio George contributed keyboards occasionally. (members info correct up to band temporary break-up in 1995.)
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