| ORQUESTA DEL SOL |
| ORQUESTA DEL SOL is Japan's first Latin/salsa group,
formed in 1978 under the leadership of Masahito "Pecker" Hashida (vocal/percussionist).
In the winter of 1979, Ken Morimura (pianist, musical director) joined the band and they started to play original arrangements and compositions including some songs sung in Japanese language. Their first album, "Rainbow Love", debuted in 1981, then the second album, "Harajuku Live", was released in 1982 (Disco Mate Records). |
Rainbow Love |
Harajuku Live |
ORQUESTA DEL SOL has been performing monthly in such Tokyo clubs as "Pit Inn" and "Crocodile" almost for twenty years, and is largely responsible for the development of a large following for Latin music in Japan. The band paved the way for other Japanese Latin/salsa groups, like the world-renowned ORQUESTA DE LA LUZ, and the all women CHICA BOOM. |
| Since the debut,
ORQUESTA DEL SOL also has played with many international artists, such
as JOSE ALBERTO Y SU ORQUESTA, EL GRAN COMBO, ANDY MONTAÑEZ, ADALBERTO
SANTIAGO, YUMURI Y SUS HERMANOS, PELLO EL AFROKAN, NG LA BANDA, MONGO SANTAMARIA,
ARMANDO PERAZA, ORESTES VILATO and many others.
Especially in the spring of 1993, the group invited a world renowned conga player, TATA GUINES from Cuba to participate in their recording session for "El Amor Es Fatal" in the third album, "Del Sol" (1993/Universal). In 1994, the 4th single, "Traicionera", a cover version of O'Jays' 1972 hit, "Backstabbers" and the 4th album, "Compañeros" were released (Victor Entertainment).
In November 1995, ORQUESTA DEL SOL appeared on the stages for "The 35th Anniversary Event for Sister City Relationship between New York City and Tokyo" at Tribeca Performing Arts Center, New York. The band performed for the audience of about 1,500 and was applauded by them with a standing ovation. |
Del Sol |
Compañeros |
|
Rumba |
Bravo!! |
In May 1998, a single, "The Fight!!", an official cheering song for the National Soccer Team of Japan for "FIFA World Cup '98 in France" was released (velfarre records / avex), and in
August, the 6th album "Bravo!!" was released (velfarre records / avex).
In November 1999, the 7th album "¡Pa' Lante!" was released (Nippon Crown). In December 2000, a young and beautiful female vocalist, AYUMI joined the band. |
¡Pa' Lante! |
| In January 2002, the 8th album "Carcajada" was released (King), in which "Carcajada//Moumantai2 Remix", the ending theme from the motion picture "Moumantai2" is contained. The song features the rap of Takashi Okamura, a famous Japanese comedian and a Hong Kong movie star, Sam Lee. |
Carcajada |
| After some shifts and changes, ORQUESTA DEL SOL is now a twelve piece band, containing a vocalist from Cuba: Ruber Cabrales, two male vocal/percussionists: Pecker and Makoto "Kimchi" Kimura, a pianist: Ken Morimura, a bass player: Kazutoshi Shibuya, three percussionists, Hideki "Quintana" Sato, Akihiro "Abakua" Tsuzuki and Yoshihiko "Mizalito" Miza, two trumpet players: Shiro Sasaki and Isao Sakuma and two saxophone players: Kazuhiko Kondo and Masakuni Takeno. | |
Pecker |
Cabrales |
Kimchi |
Ken |
Quintana |
Tsuzuki |
Mizalito |
Shibuyanbu |
Shiro |
Sakuma |
Kondo |
Takeno |
