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Oscar D'Leon And His Venezuelan Big Band

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Description: The Venezuelan salsa singer, bandleader and composer plays dancefloor tunes.


 
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D'León proves you're never too old to dance

By Jane Cornwell, Evening Standard  14.07.08
 
Oscar D'León

Hero of Latin diaspora: Oscar D'León

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"I'M 65," announced Oscar D'León, gyrating in a circle. "Do some aerobics with me!" Age and three heart attacks have not wearied El León de la Salsa, who bounced around in front of his 18-piece orchestra like a hyperactive teen. This was the first London show in five years from the great Venezuelan singer and bandleader. There was, then, no time to waste.

The opening medley - a mix of Latin music genres - reinforced D'León s status as a hero of the Latin diaspora. The former taxi driver then set off on a joy ride through two-and-a-half hours of brass-fuelled classics that included his version of Beny More's Que Bueno Baila Usted. Tito Puente's Oye Como Va came peppered with percussion solos: sparks flew from guiras and maracas. Sticks somersaulted in the air.

D'León channelled his talent for improvising into a sung paean to London's Latinos; a jazz duet began with some impressive mouth trumpet. An adoring crowd danced everything from merengue and reggaeton to cha-cha-cha and the Macarena while, up onstage, D'León danced with them. He might have leant on his double bass for the encore, Mi Bajo Y Yo, but the evergreen salsero was scarcely drawing breath.

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