Johnny Pacheco is a Dominican musician and composer who works in the salsa genre. By the way, the name of the genre belongs to Pacheco.
During his career, he led several orchestras, created record companies. Johnny Pacheco is the owner of many awards, nine of which are statuettes of the most popular Grammy music award in the world.
The early years of Johnny Pacheco
Johnny Pacheco was born on March 25, 1935 in the Dominican city of Santiago de los Caballeros. His father was the famous conductor and clarinetist Rafael Pacheco. Little Johnny inherited his passion for music from him.
At the age of 11, the Pacheco family moved permanently to New York. Here, as a teenager, Johnny began to learn the basics of music. He mastered the accordion, flute, violin and saxophone.
The origin of the Pacheco family is interesting. On the paternal side, the boy had Spanish roots. The great-great-grandfather of the future salsa star was a Spanish soldier who came to reannex Santo Domingo.
The boy's mother had German, French, Spanish and Dominican roots. Shouldn't such parents have a real genius?
Early career
The first orchestra, where the young Pacheco entered the service, was the team of Charlie Palmieri. Here the musician honed his skills of playing the flute and saxophone.
In 1959, Johnny assembled his own orchestra. He named the group Pacheco y Su Charanga. Thanks to the connections that appeared, Pacheco was able to sign a contract with Alegre Records.
This allowed the musicians to record on high-quality equipment. The first album was sold in the amount of 100 thousand copies, which for 1960 was a real sensation.
The success of the group was based on the fact that the musicians played in such popular styles as: cha-cha-cha and pachanga.
The members of the orchestra became real stars and got the opportunity to tour not only in the vast territory of the United States, but also in Latin America.
In 1963, Pacheco y Su Charanga became the first Latin music group to perform at New York's famous Apollo Theater.
In 1964, Johnny Pacheco set up his own recording studio. He was already known as a brilliant arranger. Therefore, the studio that Pacheco opened immediately became famous among musicians playing in his favorite genres.
Even before the opening of the studio, Pacheco decided to create a Center for the Association of Talented Youth of Spanish Harlem. And his own label helped to do it.
The young man had little money. And he decided to enlist the support of a partner. His role was played by lawyer Jerry Masucci. Just at this time, Pacheco used the services of a lawyer in his divorce proceedings.
The young people became friends, and Masucci found the necessary amount of money. Recording studio Fania Records immediately became a success with fans of Latin American music.
Other achievements of the musician
Johnny Pacheco has over 150 composed songs to his credit. He has recorded ten gold discs and won nine Grammy awards for Best Composer, Arranger and Producer.
Some modern rap artists have enjoyed using Pacheco's melodies in creating their beats. Dominican DJs sampled melodies invented by the king of salsa and inserted them into their tracks.
Johnny Pacheco has composed film tunes several times. His soundtracks are featured in the films Our Latin Thing, Salsa, and others.
In 1974, Pacheco wrote the musical scores for the films Big New York, and in 1986 for the film Wild Thing. Johnny Pacheco is also involved in social activities. He created a fund to help AIDS patients.
In 1998, the musician gave a concert Concierto Por La Vida in the large New York Avery Fisher Hall. All proceeds went to help families affected by Hurricane George.
Talent recognition and awards
Today it is difficult to overestimate Pacheco's contribution to Latin American music. Throughout his career, he was an adherent of folk rhythms.
Before Pacheco, salsa was called Latin American jazz. But it was Johnny who came up with the term that all fans of incendiary dances know today.
During his career, the musician was awarded such awards as:
- Presidential Medal of Honor. The musician received the award in 1996. It was presented to Pacheco personally by the President of the Dominican Republic, Joaquin Balaguer;
- Bobby Capo Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. The award was presented by New York Governor George Pataki;
- Casandra Awards - an international award for outstanding achievements in the world of music and visual arts;
- National Academy of Recording Arts Award. Pacheco became the first Hispanic to receive this prestigious producer award;
- International Latin Music Hall of Fame. Pacheco received this award in 1998;
- Silver Pen Award from the American Society of Composers. The award was presented to the master in 2004;
- star on the New Jersey Walk of Fame in 2005.
Johnny Pacheco is now 85 years old. But he continues to make music. His record company is still working with young talents. The legendary musician helps with the arrangements and gives professional advice.
