Oscar D'León
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Oscar D'León | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Oscar Emilio León Somoza |
| Also known as | El Sonero del Mundo El Faraón de la Salsa El Bajo Danzante |
| Born | July 11, 1943 |
| Origin | Caracas, Venezuela |
| Genre(s) | Salsa |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Bass |
| Website | Official website (Spanish) |
Oscar Emilio León Somoza, better known as Oscar D'León (born July 11, 1943) is a Venezuelan musician who became internationally famous for his salsa music. In Spanish, he is known as El Sonero del Mundo ("the Improviser of the World"). His most famous song is perhaps "Llorarás," which he recorded in 1975 with his group La Dimensión Latina.
Contents |
[edit] Early life and career
Oscar D'León was born in Caracas, Venezuela, on July 11, 1943. A long-time resident of the Parroquia Antímano section of the city, he took interest in bass guitar early on, and would alternate in jobs as an auto mechanic (during the day) and bass player (at night) for local conjuntos. As he acquired a reputation for being a solid bass player, clever improviser (he would improvise entire songs on the spot) and dynamic singer (he used to dance with a double bass onstage while singing, a not-so-subtle physical feat), he founded orchestras such as La Golden Star and music groups such as Los Psicodélicos. Together with percussionist José Rodríguez and trombone players César Monge and José Antonio Rojas, he formed La Dimensión Latina in 1972.
Four years later, D'León quit the group and created La Salsa Mayor. With La Salsa Mayor he recorded merengue standard "Juanita Morell", a version that became a huge radio hit in Puerto Rico. He later founded La Crítica in 1978 in memory of the legends of Cuban Rumba, such as Miguelito Valdés . For a while, D'León would alternate singing with both orchestras, giving him enough flexibility to stay working constantly.
Just to add, the statement 'In Spanish, he is known as El Sonero del Mundo ("the Son Singer of the World") or as El Sonero Mayor ("the Great Son Singer").' In Spanish, sonero actually means 'improvisor'. It is a term used in Cuba, in Puerto Rico and among many other Caribbean and Latin-Americans to describe the singer's singing technique.
[edit] Success
During the 1980s, D'León achieved success in salsa music, and is now one of the great singers of Caribbean music. Meanwhile, he got tired of carrying around his double bass, "and opening the case at baggage claim on the airport only to find it reduced down to toothpicks"; therefore, he gave up playing a bass onstage. He also started shaving his head regularly, as to not bother with alopecia any longer.
Because of successful tours throughout America and Spain, D'León was the first latino to sign a contract with the BBC.
[edit] Personal life
Oscar D'Leon's charity work has been praised. He has traveled to Colombia to aid "desplazados" (people seriously affected by guerilla forces). He takes care of himself, eating healthy and exercising. He has a wife and several children who are all musically talented like their father. His son Yorman plays with him in his band and has even recorded with Oscar in the studio. They sang the song "Padre e hijo" together on Oscar's 1992 album titled "El Rey De Los Soneros". His other son Jimmy sings and plays bass, while daughter Irosca plays piano and dances. His daughter Adiaroz has also shown signs of talent as well. In 2003 Oscar D'León suffered 3 heart attacks while performing. One on the stage and he had two more in the hospital due to high cholesterol.
[edit] References
- This article draws heavily on the corresponding article in the Spanish-language Wikipedia, from which the 14 April 2006 version of the article was accessed.
and paramilitary groups
