Biography
VAN LESTER
From a very early age, Van Lester, born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, sang with many local bands. His beginnings were in 1980 when he formed part of Marvin Cardona's Conjunto Kaney as the lead vocalist.
In 1981, he was lead vocalist for Orquesta Arallues with whom he recorded a single. In 1982, he sang with Orquesta Pueblo Latino. In mid 1982, he started his first band, which he named Lester Orengo y su Orquesta. In 1983, he was persuaded by Erick Figueroa and Eddie Guagua Rivera to become lead vocalists for Conjunto Erigua. He recorded a single with Conjunto Erigua titled “Dimelo Tu”, which was played favorably in radio stations throughout the island of Puerto Rico during the holiday season.
It was Eddie Guagua who convinced him to change his name to a more commercial one. The result became “VAN LESTER”. In mid 1984, Van and Israel “Ishpacor” Pagan formed a band which they named El Sonido De La Bestia (The Sound of the Beast). It was with this band that Van initiated his talent as an arranger and producer when recorded a single titled “Escondete”. In 1985, he saw his dream come true when he recorded with La Corporacion Latina. This recording launched his recording career.
It wasn't until 1989 that his recording career took off professionally when he recorded two compact discs titled “Puerto Rico 2013” and “Banda'lla” alongside Frank Ferrer. Van gained popularity with the Puerto Rican public with the two hit singles from these productions. “Hermano Hector” and “Mi Mamá No Quiere”.
The similarity between Van and Hector Lavoe captured the attention RMM Records, where Van was signed with Frank Ferrer for under the label “SONERO”. This event made Van part of the permanent “Stellar Salsa Scene” and helped launch his international singing career with his first CD titled “Soy La Voz”.
Van has toured the United States, Central and South America and Europe. In 1993, he had the privilege of visiting Anchorage, Alaska to introduce “Salsa” to the region. Van was awarded a platinum album for his participation in “La Combinación Perfecta”' where he recorded with Domingo Quiñones the song titled “Tributo A Hector Lavoe”. He was asked to take part in a production for Sony Discos titled “Los Soneros de Hoy Tributo a Los Soneros de Siempre”' in which he recorded a new version of “Periódico de Ayer”' produced by Frank Ferrer.
Subsequently, Fania Records asked Van to finish the recording that Hector Lavoe was unable to finish. This recording titled “The Master & The Protege” is considered a salsa classic. In 1995, Van had the opportunity to have his next recording produced by the popular salsa producer, Johnny Pacheco, titled “En Transición”. Van established his own independent recording label in 1996, “Vanlo Records” where he recorded the album titled “A Mi Manera” with his record label.
In 1997, he recorded with Luisito Rey y Punto a Punto under the Vanlo Records as the producer, arranger and composer. In 1999, after touring in Mexico, Van voluntarily retired from the performing scenes and established his own recording studio, “Desty Sound” where he is currently offering his services as arranger, producer and engineer.
After a long absence from the performing scenes, Van returns as a vocalist. In 2004, Cookita Productions released the album titled “Estaba Para Mi” and in 2023 album “Van Lester y Los Generales” on vinyl record.
