NUEVA YORK(SMI-LATIN-ENTRETENIMIENTO,02.15.21)-Legendary latin  musician & producer  Juan Azarías Pacheco Knipping also known as "Johnny Pacheco" passed away today at 85, after being hospitalized for complications stemming from pneumonia at Holy Name Medical Center in Teacneck, New Jersey

 

 

Juan Azarías Pacheco Knipping  also known as Johnny Pacheco, was a Dominican musician, arranger, bandleader, and record producer. As a flutist and bandleader, Pacheco became one of the leading exponents of the Cuban charanga format in the United States in the early 1960s. As the founder and musical director of Fania Records, Pacheco became a leading figure in the New York salsa scene in the 1960s and 1970s.He popularized the use of the term "salsa" and established the Fania All-Stars to showcase the leading artists of the genre.

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Pacheco was a 9-time Grammy nominee and was awarded the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement  Award by the Latin Recording Academy in 2005

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The Latin Recording Academy® statement about Johnny Pacheco: 
 
Johnny Pacheco was a creative composer, arranger, bandleader and producer, in addition to being a gifted musician and a charming performer.
 
An original member of the acclaimed Fania All-Stars, and co-founder of Fania Records in the '60s, Pacheco is widely considered as one of the "fathers of salsa." During his decades-long career, he worked with some of the most prominent salsa artists, including Celia Cruz, Willie Colón, Héctor Lavoe, Rubén Blades, Cheo Feliciano and Pete "El Conde" Rodríguez.
 
He received the 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award from The Latin Recording Academy, and his extensive body of work has been nominated for both Latin GRAMMY® and GRAMMY® Awards on several occasions.
 
Johnny Pacheco will be greatly missed, but his music and legacy will live forever and continue to inspire music creators around the world. Our hearts go out to his wife, Cuqui, and their family during this difficult time.
 
Gabriel Abaroa, Jr. 
President/CEO
The Latin Recording Academy®

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Declaraciones de La Academia Latina de la Grabación® sobre Johnny Pacheco
 
Johnny Pacheco fue un creativo compositor, arreglista, director de banda y productor, además de un talentoso músico y cautivador artista.
 
Pacheco, quien estuvo entre los integrantes originales del aclamado Fania All-Stars y los fundadores de Fania Records en los años 60, fue uno de los "padres de la salsa". Trabajó con algunos de los salseros más destacados, entre ellos Celia Cruz, Willie Colón, Héctor Lavoe, Rubén Blades, Cheo Feliciano y Pete "El Conde" Rodríguez.
 
Recibió el Premio a la Excelencia Musical de 2005 de La Academia Latina de la Grabación, y sus obras han sido nominadas tanto al Latin GRAMMY® como al GRAMMY® en repetidas ocasiones.
 
Extrañaremos mucho a Johnny Pacheco, pero su música y legado perdurarán para siempre y seguirán inspirando a creadores de música en todo el mundo. Nuestro más sentido pésame a su esposa, Cuqui, y su familia en este difícil momento.
 
Gabriel Abaroa, Jr. 
Presidente/CEO
La Academia Latina de la Grabación®