OSCAR D' LEON

Thursday, March 6th 2003
Oscar D'Leon
2003 Concert Pictures. More to come.
OSCAR D' LEON BIOGRAPHY
Oscar D'León is a salsa and Latin music star from Venezuela. Besides from being a great
sonero, he is also showman who knows how to entertain people. He has more than 20 years
experience in show business and has recorded 60 albums. His career started in 1972, when
he was part of the popular orchestra Dimensióon Latina. His first recording and first hit
was a 45 called Pensando En Tí. Four years later, he formed his own band, La Salsa
Mayor. Since then, he has always played with his own orchestra. On one hand, he is
influenced by famous Cuban musicians like Beny Moré and La Sonora Matancera, on the other
hand, by the sound of the 1960's in New York and stars like Eddie Palmieri and the Fania
generation.
In 1977, Oscar D'León recorded his first solo album, La Salsa Mayor. One year
later followed this was his best selling album ever, El Más Grande. His voice and
his improvisational skills make him a star in the salsa world where he is specially known
for his "sensual salsa". In 1991, he signed with RMM and released his first solo
album, El Rey De Los Soneros. The album included the hit single Padre E Hijo,
sung by Oscar and his son Yorman. In early 1994, Oscar released his second solo album Toitico
Tuyo, produced in Venezuela, Colombia and Puerto Rico. In 1996, he followed his
production Sonero Del Mundo with the cooperation of the well know Cuban artist,
Willy Chirino. This album was nominated for a Grammy award. In 1997, D’León released En
Nueva York. Produced by Isidro Infante along with Oscar, the album included invited
guests such as Arturo Sandoval, virtuoso trumpeter Piro Rodríguez and a duet with Latin
singer India.
Oscar D'León has worked together with stars like Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Arturo
Sandoval, Luís Enrique, Los Billos Caracas Boys and Dyango. His new CD La Formula
Original (August 1999) is a salsa and latin firework with his distinctive "D’León
Swing". It includes ten tracks, five of them composed by himself. Together with
Isidro Infante, he wrote the spectacular tune Deja Que Te Quiera. "It leads
off with an infectious piano intro and catchy chorus before D’León’s vocals kick in
and start a very rhythmic serenade. He delivers the most danceable and charming 'amorous
pursuit' in Latin music." Together with Monta Al Pelo and Mi Mujer Es Una
Bomba, it is one of the best songs on the album. The songs Prestame Tu Piel, Deja
Que Te Quiera and Esperando Por Ella are great salsa dancing music. The Latin
fever is still spreading, maybe soon to the true Latin sound, including Oscar D'León's
salsa.
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