Johnny Ray, a renowned percussionist and leader of a band from Puerto Rican descent, is well-known. Juan Zamot was born in Quebradillas on the west coast of Puerto Rico. He later moved to New York City as a child. Johnny became interested in the percussive sounds of New York City, which he discovered was a part of the growing Latin music movement that was prevalent in the city. The young percussionist realized that his future was not just geared towards becoming a Latin musician but also to being a band leader. The percussionist began his career as a sideman by playing the bongos and timbals in top Latin bands in New York. He soon discovered his love of the conga drum, another percussion instrument. Ray said that congas gave him the freedom to express my musical emotions more freely. Ray was speaking with Juan Moreno Velazquez of el DIario-LA PRENSA in New York. He also stated that congas “incited a new fire in me” and “the congas were able to guide the musical feeling to the core of the dancer.” Johnny says that playing the congas was like a surge of energy. I felt more energetic the more I played. This feeling is still with us today. It affects not only the musicians but also the audience members.” John began a never-ending journey of discovery through the instrument. He became a highly skilled student to learn how to master his craft as a master drummer. Johnny Ray, a veteran musician and band director with over 40 years of experience and 43 recordings, is undoubtedly one of the most successful salseros in business. His beginnings were with Sociedad 76 and then The Johnny Zamot Band. He is best known for hits such as Fat Mama, I Want to Go To America, La Soluccion de la Salsa and Jibarito Mio. In 1988, he founded the current edition Johnny Ray and Salsa Con Clase. Johnny Ray is still in business today and remains one of the most popular dancing groups in New York City, Puerto Rico, and around the globe. He is a proven band leader and music strategist. His sound continues to be at the forefront of new musical trends. He is undoubtedly one of the most popular musicians in the industry, with an uncanny ability for predicting the changes in music trends. Johnny Ray’s ability to adapt to new styles is evident, as can every single release of the band. Johnny states, “Call this evolution or adaptation, but my music always reflects the current trends.” Music fans are open to new ideas and changes. The salsero said that he has always done his best to provide them with the right music and has never kept a secret about it. Johnny founded JZ Productions in 1997 as both a record label and production/booking firm. The ten recordings that followed have proven Johnny Ray’s and Salsa Con Clase’s resilience during the longest Salsa cycle in decades. Johnny Ray is unquestionably a top-ranking band leader in New York. His band Salsa Con Clase, which has won the respect of all dancers, has also been a huge success. Johnny Ray and Salsa Con Clase has performed at numerous colleges/universities, festivals, fairs, banquets and private events in Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Venezuela, and all over the United States. Johnny Ray and Salsa con Clase have shared the stage with many artists including Jose Alberto “El Canario”, Marc Anthony (Ray Barreto), Ruben Blades. Bobby Valentin. Johnny Ventura. Fernandito Villalona. from http://salsaconclase.com/about-johnny-ray
