Spanish Harlem Orchestra was established in 2000 in order to preserve and expand the classic salsa dura (hard salsa) sound that exploded out of East Harlem and the Bronx in the 1970s. The thirteen member ensemble was the brainchild of Latin pianist, arranger and producer Oscar Hernandez, who handpicked a crew of Latin music veterans and all-stars to help revive the true New York City salsa sound that was in danger of being washed away by a tide of soft salsa romantica and other pop confections.
The group released its debut album, Un Gran Día En El Barrio, in 2002. Fueled by great singers Frankie Vasquez, Herman Olivera, Ray De La Paz and special guest Jimmy Sabater, the songs were hot and included back-in-the-day hits like Tito Rodriguez's "Mama Guela," Willie Colon's "La Banda," and others. It launched the band and garnered them a 2003 Grammy nomination for "Best Salsa Album" and a Latin Billboard Award for Salsa Album of the Year-Best New Group.
On their 2004 follow-up, Across 110th St., the Spanish Harlem Orchestra was augmented by the roaring trombones of Jimmy Bosch and Dan Reagan, singers Marco Bermudez, Willie Torres, Ray De La Paz and special guest Ruben Blades, who Hernández worked for in the 1990s as his musical director. This album garnered the group its first Grammy win in 2005 for "Best Salsa Album."
The group's latest album, United We Swing, was released in the spring of 2007.
