Interpreter, vocalist, entertainer, songwriter, producer and showman – Javier Luis, aka La Sonrisa Que Canta / The Smile That Sings – is no stranger to hard work in the music industry. As an independent artist, Javier runs his own record label “Miramar Entertainment Inc.” in which he has recorded and released his worldwide breakout first CD titled “Himno a La mujer” (Hymn to women). The release was shortly followed by a grand CD release concert at Club Iguana in Manhattan, New York. His second worldwide album was an EP/DVD double disc set titled “Por amor” (For love), which was followed up with a CD release concert at NYC’s legendary club SOBS – “Sounds of Brazil”. In June of 2019, Javier released an original single titled “Yo no soy un delincuente” (I am not a delinquent), along with a music video and a music video release event.
On June 1st, 2022, Javier Luis released his new single and music video titled…”En mi Viejo San Juan” which is a cover written by Noel Estrada. “En mi Viejo San Juan” was written in 1942 and over 1000 distinct recordings have been made with this song. The great news is that Javier’s version has been described by critics’ and radio personalities from Puerto Rico and here in the mainland as “Fresh, nostalgic and new”. Javier’s musical trajectory has gained many loyal fans and an international following. Not only is Javier Luis’ sound unique, he is recognized for his vocal talents, his fashion sense, his original music and sound, for interpreting cover songs in his own unique style and completely making them his own. He is totally dedicated to his legion of faithful and adoring fans.
Always looking outside of his comfort zone, Javier and his 12-piece Salsa orchestra made NYC Latino history by being the very first Salsa artist to grace the stages of Lincoln Center’s Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center. His promotional tour for the Lincoln Center concert took him to Puerto Rico, where he performed live on the WAPA television network’s top-rated shows “Juntos en la Mañana” and “Pegate al Mediodia”. His other television appearances have included performances on Univision and Telemundo. Javier has had many successful sold out runs at SOBS – Sounds of Brazil and has performed at the Apollo Theater Amateur Night, Wonderland Blues Lounge, The Duplex, Indigo Blues, The Village Gate, The West End Gate, Creole Lounge, The Triad Theater Lounge, Club Iguana, Club 72, Summer Music Festivals, and B.B. Kings in Times Square. Javier Luis was also the opening act for famous Salsa artists such as Brenda K. Starr, Kevin Ceballos and Dominic.
He is the recipient of numerous awards which are proudly displayed at his home on “the wall of achievements & true blessings”. This includes his winning the 2017 LDM Independent Music Award for “Song of the Year”, for his hit song “Por amor”. He repeated as the 2020 LDM Independent Music Award winner for “Song of the Year”, for his hit single “Yo no soy un delincuente”.
In 2018, Javier Luis landed a gig hosting a Spanglish talk show called “El Latino Ruido” which he hosted along with a co-host. With an array of topics and invited guests such as singers, actors, painters, healthcare professionals, politics and cooking segments, “El Latino Ruido” picked up steam very quickly giving it a very successful first season. The introduction of the show features Javier’s song “Por amor”.
Ponce, Puerto Rican born, and a New York City raised Manhattanite, Javier unknowingly started his career when he performed in his seventh-grade talent show. Never forgetting the adrenaline of his first performance, once in high school, Javier started writing and singing in English and recorded his first song at sixteen. Javier studied Voice, African Dance and Acting in a three-year program at Miriam Colons’ Puerto Rican Traveling Theater. Javier landed and became one of the lead singers for Lavender Light Gospel choir for a few years and was also a founding member and one of the lead singers of Dr. Gregory Payne’s 40+ member Gospel Choir Illumination. His involvement with the choirs led him to perform in many churches and venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Yankee Stadium with Pattie LaBelle and Cyndi Lauper.
At his mother’s urging, Javier started singing in Spanish and recorded a song she wrote, “Alma chapada a la antigua” (Old fashioned soul). As executive producer, he arranged the lead and background vocals for the song: his first Spanish language Salsa single. Javier was also the executive producer, lead and background vocal arranger of his second Spanish language Salsa single, “Ladrona de amor” (Thief of the heart), also written by his mother, Carmen Martinez. “Ladrona de amor” landed on the Lifetime Network hit cop show, “The Division”. Javier was cast as a lead in the independent movie “Salsa Lessons”, whose music soundtrack included his recordings of “Alma chapada a la antigua” and “Mi otra mitad” (My other half).
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