Johnny Ventura, the father of modern Merengue
Johnny Ventura
Juan de Dios Ventura Soriano, better known as Johnny Ventura or “El Caballo Mayor”, is one of those few names in Dominican music history that are synonymous with Merengue. For over six decades the prolific Dominican singer, composer, arranger and band leader won the hearts and ears of all Merengue lovers around the world with his unmistakable voice, his overall “Merenguero-Charm” and soft dancing hips.
Born in 1940 in Santiago de los Caballeros, the second largest city in the Dominican Republic, located in the Cibao region, his musical career started at the tender age of 16. His friends, who already had a taste of his musical talents, unbeknownst to Ventura, took him to participate in a contest where he won first place. He then continued his musical education and took part in various groups. In 1964 he formed his own ensemble “The Combo Show”, an orchestra that became important in the history of Dominican popular music.
When Johnny Ventura started his musical career, Merengue, as we know it today, did not exist. Like Bachata, Merengue has rural origins. It was not until the late 1920’s, when it was used by the dictator Trujillo for his political campaign, that it started to become accepted in the mainstream Dominican society and began evolving beyond its traditional form. Johnny made major stylistic contributions to the genre along the years, to the point that some consider him the “Father of modern Merengue”. For example, to name a few, he introduced the use of instruments like saxophone and piano, and composed and accelerated the tempo of the composition. His lyrics covered topics ranging from romantic love to the racial reality of black Dominicans, including also odes to his motherland. All of this while keeping a soft humorous double-meaning tone.
He also ventured into politics. He served as a Member of Parliament from 1982 to 1986; Vice-Mayor of Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, from 1994 to 1998; and Mayor of the same city, from 1998 until 2002.
His baritone voice left us in July 2021 after more than 100 albums; an induction to the International Latin Music Hall of Fame, in 1999; a Latin Grammy, 2004, and a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award by the Latin Recording Academy, in 2006; 28 Gold and 2 Platinum records; and touring all over the world with his music, as a true Ambassador for Merengue and our culture.
Johnny Ventura was a force for happiness and that’s how he would have liked to be remembered. So we invite you to celebrate his life and music by listening to the following vintage playlist of his presentation in 1984 at the “Viña del Mar” Music Festival, in Chile, and by accessing his music in all major music streaming digital platforms.
