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.
Added on September 1, 2003: Get the latest CD by Oscar D'Leon, Infinito
(June 2003), from Amazon.com
or Amazon.de.
