JOHNNY RAY (PERCUSSIONIST, BAND LEADER)

Johnny Ray was born in Quebradilla, a small town on the western coast of Puerto Rico. He arrived in New York City at age ten where he developed an overwhelming interest in percussion. As he grew older, an equally intense desire began to emerge; Johnny wanted to become what he is today, not only a percussionist but also as the leader of his own band – a status he reached early in his career and that he solidly maintains today.

Although his professional career began as a sideman playing timbales and later on the bongos, Johnny Ray discovered the congas, found them extremely exciting and fell in love with their sound. His desire to master the instrument became an obsession that consumed him uncontrollably so he applied himself to the task at hand and found a rewarding feeling in his effort. " Playing the congas was like getting a charge of energy," Johnny confesses. "The more I played, the more energized I became. As in the past, that feeling is still with me today and it continues to affect not only the musicians in the band but also the people in the audience."

Johnny Ray is definitely one of the most successful musicians in the business blessed with an uncanny ability to foresee music changing trends. In 1988, Johnny founded the highly popular Salsa con Clase. His readiness to assimilate new styles is undeniable, every one of the band's releases attests to this fact. "Call it evolution or adaptation but my music has always reflected current trends," states Johnny. "Traditionally, music fans eagerly welcome refreshing changes. I've always tried my best to give them exactly that...and I've never made a secret about it!"

Since its inception, Johnny Ray & Salsa con Clase have released eight original albums and a compilation of the band's hits. In 1997, as a result of his decision to record and produce his own music, Johnny established Scala Musical and JZ Production, a recording label and a production/booking company respectively. Johnny Ray & Salsa con Clase productions have been distributed domestically and internationally by several major labels.

JOHNNY RAY (JOHNNY ZAMOT) Y LAS ESTRELLAS DE NUEVA YORK - WALK OF FAME (1975/2007)

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many thanks to Nelson Rodriguez

Johnny Zamot Leader, congas
Manny Corchado Timbales
Johnny Rodriguez "Dandy" Bongos
Yayo "El Indio" Peguero Coro
Adalberto Santiago Coro
Jimmy Sabater Coro
Charlie Palmieri Musical director, maracas
Eddie "Gua Gua" Rivera Bass
Eddie "Eddy" Martinez Piano
Ray Maldonado Trumpet
Roy Roman Trumpet
Mario Rivera Bari sax, soprano sax
Crispin Fernandez Flute, tenor sax
Barry Rogers Trombone
Jose Meriño Trombone
Paul "La Playa" Alicea Trumpet
Pat Patrick
Billy Cobham Drums
Victor Venegas Bass
Plus: Charlie Rodriguez (tres), John "PeeWee" Fernandez (vocals), Ramon "Tito Jay" Jimenez (vocals), Manny Duran, Victor Paz (trumpet) & Felipe Yanes (keyboards)

review by Rudy Mangual: JOHNNY RAY (JOHNNY ZAMOT) Y LAS ESTRELLAS DE NUEVA YORK - WALk OF FAME) (1975/2007)

review by Bruce Polin: JOHNNY RAY (JOHNNY ZAMOT) Y LAS ESTRELLAS DE NUEVA YORK - WALk OF FAME) (1975/2007)

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