World-renowned salsa dancer Johnny Vazquez is known worldwide as the Prince of Salsa. Johnny is known for his supreme physical control as he dances, channelling his vibrant creative energy into striking, high-speed and clean-cut salsa routines.
Originally from Mexico, salsa rhythms run in the Vazquez family’s blood: when Johnny started his training with his older brothers Francisco and Luis, both were already accomplished salsa dancers. Johnny quickly made a name for himself as a truly talented salsa star, progressing from strength to strength. He’s known the world over for his distinctive technical style and ability to keep his audiences captivated; it’s these talents that have made him a five-time World Salsa and World Pioneer Champion.
Johnny is a real creative innovator, too. He’s known for co-creating the now famous Los Angeles On1 salsa style with his brothers Francisco and Luis, as well as becoming artistic director of his very own Johnny Vazquez Dance School, training up future professional salsa dancers.
But, more recently, Johnny has shifted his focus to salsa singing, proving his considerable talents in yet another artistic realm. Johnny’s debut album Baila Rumbero (2009) was a resounding success, soon followed by Escandalo (2010).
Johnny’s decision to further develop his musical career precipitated a close, successful and ongoing collaboration with La Maxima 79 band leader Fabrizio Zoro.
Fabrizio has long been inspired by Johnny’s dancing prowess and inherent feel for the rhythms of salsa, so welcomed the opportunity to join him on his venture into salsa singing.
Interestingly, both Fabrizio and Johnny only came across the salsa genre reluctantly. To start with, Johnny couldn’t have been less interested in salsa; neither was Fabrizio, until he was dragged to a salsa night to give it a try. But, both artists fell under the salsa spell as soon as they spent more time around the music.
Since formalising their collaboration, Fabrizio, alongside La Maxima 79 musical director and pianist Tony Velardi, has collaborated with Johnny on his latest three songs. Fabrizio’s music production label Smayra Publishing has released Azafata (2013), Paparrin (2015) and, most recently, Loco (2018).