| NORA is a talented artist who began
her career as the lead singer of the Japanese Salsa band “La
Orquesta De La Luz”. As a child NORA was always intrigued and
enamored with performing. At the age of three she had hopes of
becoming a professional dancer when she was taking ballet lessons.
In her senior year in high school, she became inspired to sing
professionally at a school festival where she was the lead vocalist
in an amateur Rock band. NORA developed an interest in Black
Contemporary music and idolized Stevie Wonder, but when she began
college she became enthralled with Salsa music. Her interest
in Salsa led to the creation of the Japanese Salsa band “La Orquesta
De La Luz” in 1984 accompanied by her friends. The group revealed
their sounds to the United States when she brought a demo tape
to New York in 1987 and they began touring in 1989. In 1990 the
orchestra released its first album “De La Luz” on BMG Victor
Records in Japan. The success of the album also happened overseas
when this album was released in the United States under the name
“Salsa Caliente Del Japon”. The album became number one on Billboard's
Latin chart for 12 consecutive weeks and the group became one
of the most prominent Japanese orchestras to ever play Tropical
music earning international critical acclaim in Japan and the
United States. In 1991 and 1993, they won the "Special Prize"
Award by the 33rd Japan Record Awards. For two consecutive years
they won "The Best Album of the Year" Award by La Associacion
de Cronistas de Espectaculos de Nueva York (ACE Awards) in 1991
and 1992. They also won "The Best Band of the Year "ACE
Award in 1992. In 1993, the United Nations awarded them the "Peace
Medal" and in 1995 they were nominated for the Grammy Awards
in the category of "Best Tropical Latin Album." La
Orquesta De La Luz also received "The Best New Artists"
Award by the Japanese minister of Education in the category of
Popular Entertainment. The group recorded seven albums, worldwide
and toured for each album in North America, South America, and
in Europe. After touring and recording for 13 years, La Orquesta
De La Luz performed for the very last time on July 1997. In 1996,
NORA released her first solo album“Electric Lady” on BMG/Japan
in Japan and on Sony Records in the United States. In 1997, She
was invited as special guest by the "Master of Salsa"
Larry Harlow and his All-Stars to lead the group at the Blue
Note Tokyo. Her first solo performance in Asia was held in Seoul,
Korea in October 1998. In 1999, Her vocal talents and devotion
to Tropical music reaffirms her artistic ability in her second
solo album “Tratame Como Soy” on RMM in the United States and
“Cuban Colors” on Universal victor in Japan. This production
offers a diverse range of Latin sounds from Salsa and Mambo to
Boleros, which NORA produced and recorded in Havana,Cuba. This
album reemphasizes her superb vocal range proving that she is
one of Tropical music's leading singers. She expanded her artistic
responsibilities in this production. And in September, She performed
in New York Salsa Festival at the Madison Square Garden as a
soloist. In April 2001, NORA became mother of the boy who has
Spanish name “Leon”. After the childbirth, She released her third
album “CIELO” on Village Records only in Japan. This album is
including a few Japanese Pop songs with Salsa style arrangement.
And now, NORA is known as “Latin Diva” in Japan. Other solo projects
include composing the theme songs for a CD-ROM and for an amusement
park in Japan. And She often performs with great Jazz artists.
NORA has captivated fans worldwide for over ten years when she
was part of La Orquesta De La Luz and will continue to attract
them as a soloist with her resilient vocal style to Tropical
music. |
