Pacheco, Johnny - Salsa

Born in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic Johnny Pacheco is one of the most influential figures in the world of salsa music.

For decades, Johnny Pacheco has been at the center of the Latin music universe. His nine Grammy nominations, ten Gold records and numerous awards pay tribute to his creative talent as composer, arranger, bandleader and producer. Moreover, he is the pioneer of an unforgettable musical era that changed the face of Latin music history.

Pacheco inherited his father's passion for music. Rafael Azarias Pacheco, his father, was the bandleader and clarinetist of one of the most famous orchestras of that time--the Santa Cecilia Orchestra. It was his father that first put a musical instrument into his son, Johnny's hands. At the age of 11, the Pacheco family moved to New York where he continued polishing his musical skills. He learned to play accordion, violin, saxophone and clarinet. He attended the Julliard School of Music where he studied percussion making him the leading percussionist of the time. He performed and recorded with the most important American artists. He then learned to play flute. He is recognized as one of the top flutists of his era.

He moved to New York City in the late 40s from Domican Republic. Pacheco plays the flute, saxophone and percussion. He performed alongside Charlie Palmieri's Latin orchestra for a number of years before creating his own band in 1959. Experimentation was the focus of his new band, blending African, Cuban, Puerto Rican and Latin music into what came to be known as salsa. The Fania label was founded in 1964 by Pacheco and Gerald Masucci. Throughout his career, Pacheco has turned out more than 60 recordings.

In 1960, he organized his first and legendary orchestra, Pacheco y Su Charanga. The band signed with Alegre Records and its first album Johnny Pacheco y Su Charanga Vol. 1 sold over 100,000 copies within the first year, becoming the best selling album of the time. The album is a classic. Beginning then and through the end of 1963, Pacheco introduced a new dance craze called "Pachanga". He became an internationally renowned star. He toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Moreover Pacheco y Su Charanga, was the first Latin band to ever headline the Apollo in 1962 and 1963.

In late 1963, his career took another historical turn when he created Fania Records with Gerry Masucci. In 1964, the label released Pacheco's next endeavor entitled Canonazo featuring a switch from the Charanga to Conjunto style. As the company's executive, creative director and musical producer, he was responsible for launching the careers of many of the young stars that formed part of Fania Records.

In 1968 he gathered many of the musicians from the label and showcased them together in concert. This marked the birth of the legendary Fania All-Stars. In 1971, this orchestra consisting of Fania's elite exploded all over the salsa scene starting an incredible musical era for Latin music that has continued for over 30 years under the masterful direction of Mr. Pacheco.

Throughout his 40-year involvement with the development of Latin music, Johnny Pacheco has received many kudos for his extraordinary genius. In November of 1998, he was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame. In 1997, he was the recipient of the Bobby Capo Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded by Governor George Pataki. In 1996 the president of the Dominican Republic, Juaquin Balaguer bestowed him with the prestigious Presidential Meal of Honor. In addition, Pacheco was presented with the First International Dominican Artist Award from the distinguished Casandra Awards. In June 1966, Johnny Pacheco was the first Latin music producer to receive the NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences) Governor's Award in New York City.