Orchestra Fuego being one of the most sought out Salsa groups
Orchestra Fuego is a sensational Salsa band that performs both original and familiar Latin songs with invigorating new arrangements. Based in Tampa Bay, Florida this twelve-piece live orchestra presents an ear pleasing and visually alluring performance that magnifies their impressive presentation style. This seasoned group of musicians with over two decades of experience produce a sizzling show— and the band’s dynamic, high energy sound dominates every stage they play on. Orchestra Fuego delivers a vast and versatile repertoire of songs that includes Salsa – their first love - Merengue, Bachata, Bolero, Cha-cha and more. Their hot Latin passion is on fire and can be felt through their expressive enthusiasm and high energy levels everywhere they perform. A sole piano player’s relocation to a new state marks the origins of Orchestra Fuego. Director and front man Marcus Hernandez was a veteran performer on the New York City scene in the late 70’s and 80’s at the peak of the Salsa movement with Latin music running deep in his veins. When Hernandez relocated to Florida from New York, he was fueled by two things: an abiding interest in Salsa and a passion for bringing this sensational Latin sound to his new home state. This quest led to seeking out and performing with other Salsa aficionados in the area, and these original musicians are all now members of Orchestra Fuego. “After playing a few gigs,’’ laments Hernandez, “it became evident early on that the time was ripe to revive the classic Salsa sound in central Florida.” Five years later, this same group of seasoned musicians have grown together and become a family rich with Latin heritage which makes for a tight sounding, ultra-professional band.
It is this cohesiveness that contributes to Orchestra Fuego being one of the most sought out Salsa groups in the Central Florida area. Consisting of three singers, percussionists, brass musicians, a pianist, and a bass guitarist, their blend of Afro-Cuban rhythms mixed with Nuyorican flavor has maintained the integrity of what is referred to as “Old School Salsa or New York City Salsa,” complimented by a fresh twist. Since their debut in 2014, Orchestra Fuego has ignited a myriad of dance floors throughout Florida with their upbeat, high energy performances. Additionally, their first album, Encendido, has world-wide download coverage including on the domestic U.S. scene, internationally in the European market, and spanning the Pacific to the far reaches of Singapore. Audiences everywhere agree that Orchestra Fuego’s danceable beats bring energy and exciting entertainment to any occasion, causing people to rush to the dance floor the moment the music begins. Comfortable playing to crowds that number in the thousands or at intimate social gatherings, this versatile group expertly performs in a wide range of entertainment venues from nightclubs and restaurants to country clubs and large corporate events. And their enthusiastic fan following in Central Florida has deftly positioned them to become beloved by audiences well beyond the borders of the state. In addition to performing live shows, Orchestra Fuego is also working on several recording projects. They have released three albums Encendido, Salsa Brava, and Quemando La Pista, and are currently producing their fourth album and a new music video. Orchestra Fuego has won best Latin Song of the Year at the Elite Entertainment Music Awards and has been nominated for Best Latin Album at the Independent Music Awards. “We really enjoy performing and watching others appreciate our music,” shares Marcus, “and we are eager to bring our sound around the world.”
Composer, pianist, and Salsa aficionado, Marcus Hernandez was born with an affinity for Latin music that can surely be traced to the very molecules of his DNA. Growing up in the boroughs of New York City, he was heavily influenced by two local Latin greats: the Grammy Award-winning pianist Eddie Palmieri and Puerto Rican Salsa legend Willie Rosario. Their distinct styles cultivated his love for Salsa which led him to learning and mastering the piano at a young age. In his early years as a musician, Marcus studied under Oscar Hernandez and Gilberto Colon, and more recently with Arturo Ortiz, who was musical director for the Ricky Martin Band and Victor Romero who has played piano for almost all the top Latin Artist. Hernandez himself emerged on the New York City Latin scene during the late 70’s when the Salsa movement was at an all-time high. A major highlight of his New York career was forming the Salsa group Fuego ’77. The band recorded its first album of the same name, Fuego ’77, under the Alegre label, a subsidiary of the famous Fania Records, and Hernandez composed and arranged eight of the ten songs on the album. Fuego ‘77 became an in-demand supporting act opening for mega Salsa artists such as Celia Cruz, Johnny Pacheco, and Hector LaVoe. The band’s resume included performances at all the top Manhattan Salsa venues including The Corso, Ipanema, Casa Blanca, Casino 14, and the iconic Copa Cabana.
As his career flourished into the 1980’s, Hernandez continued performing and working with various popular Latin artists such as Adalberto Santiago and Rafael de Jesus. After taking a break from performing to focus on a business career, Hernandez moved to Florida in 2005, and found a tropical, steamy paradise ripe for the simmering sounds of Salsa. His new surroundings provided inspiration for his current project, Orchestra Fuego, which has become one of the most sought out Salsa groups in the Central Florida area. And after more than forty years on the Salsa scene, Marcus Hernandez is more enthusiastic than ever about composing his own original music and sharing his lively and refreshing arrangements of classic Salsa songs with audiences worldwide.
Veronica Romero was born in Chicago and raised in Puerto Rico. She started her professional career in 1997 as a backup vocalist for renowned artist Cano Estremera. Veronica shared the stage as a backup vocalist with greats like Andy Montañez, Hector Tricoche, Grammy Award Winner Lalo Rodriguez, Ismael Rivera Jr., Richy Ray and Bobby Cruz, Jose Alberto El Canario, Miles Peña, Edgar Joel, Paquito Guzman, Tommy Olivencia Jr., and many more. Her many talents, other than good looks and singing, include playing piano, guiro, pleneras (hand drums), and maracas. Veronica is co-owner of In Harmony Music School of Orlando, and Harmony Recording Studio where she collaborates in multiple recording sessions. She joined Orchestra Fuego in 2016 and moved from backup vocalist to one of the lead singers. In a recently released album Quemando La Pista Veronica recorded as a soloist the hit track Mi Ritmo, a duet in Me Voy A Olvidar De Ti, and collaborations in Llego La Orquesta Fuego in addition to all backup vocals. Currently she is preparing for Orchestra Fuego’s 4th CD with songs titled Soy Rumbera, Cucala and Si Te Vas.
Though the group was featured in recently released Lifoti's June 2019 influencer issue, you can check it from below link's for your country:
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Awesome write up!
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