Episode 28: Jose Fajardo Jr. Son of Cuban Bandleader, Jose Fajardo ( Fajardo y sus Estrellas)
Description
Fajardo Jr. born in New York City, New York on January 29, 1972. Coming from a musical family, Fajardo Jr. became a musician playing congas at the age of 3, then Timbales at the age of 4. At that tender age, he began his musical journey with father " Jose Fajardo" leader of the band "Fajardo Y Sus Estrellas".
Fajardo Jr. made his first TV appearance at the age of 3 in Miami. On his first tour, in 1977 at the age of 5, he and his father performed in Africa sponsored by RMM (Ralph Mercado Management). With his father at his side, he became knowledgeable in the world of music. He was destined to follow the Fajardo tradition. At the age of 6 Fajardo Jr. was already exposed to promoters and business giants, they referred to him as a prodigy child and nicknamed him EL NINO PRODIGIO. Earlier on in his childhood, his father would sit down with him and show him positions on the flute, he also tried to teach him how to read music to see if Fajardo Jr. could catch on and play like his father. In high school, Fajardo Jr. had the opportunity to study flute once again and began playing second flute chair in the concert band for Memorial High school. At this time, Fajardo Jr. was also Drum Captain for the school’s Concert, Jazz and Marching bands. He was well liked and had is own fame in school as one of the best percussionist in Hudson County. “Nothing could take the place of my salsa music and the limelight.” Fajardo Jr. exclaimed. His first love was and will always remain his TIMBALES and percussion instruments.
As a percussionist, he developed his own style by watching and learning from famous percussionists like Tito Puente, Johnny Almendra, Ralph Irizarry and others.
Throughout the years Fajardo Jr. has had the privilege of performing along side the likes of Johnny Pacheco, Oscar D’ Leon, Jose Alberto (El Canario), La Sonora Mantancera, Johnny Ray, Grupo Imagen, Luisito Carrion, Pedro Jesus, Cano Estremerra, Johnny Almendra, Tito Puente, Sheila E., Nino Segarra, Cachao and many more. Fajardo Jr. has also had the opportunity to travel with many of these artists to such places like Africa, Mexico, Canada, France, Martinique, Guadelupe, St. Marten, Germany, Russia, Holland, Colombia as well as throughout the United States. In New York and Miami he has performed in some of the most famous night clubs such as THE COPACABANA, LATIN QUARTERS, LA MAGANETTE, CASA BLANCA, THE PALM TREE, CLUB MYSTIQUE and more.
Fajardo Jr. has appeared on recordings with artist such as Jose Fajardo (his father), Javier Vasquez (Sonora Mantancera), David Cedeno, Grupo Imagen, Glen Vargas, Felipe Mercado and more. In his career he has also appeared on TV shows such as "SIEMPRE EN DOMINGO", "EL SHOW DE ROLANDO BARRAL", "EL SHOW DE EL MEDIO DIA", "ACCESS HOLLYWOOD", "PRIMERA EDICION", "SALSA EN LA CALLE".
Fajardo Jr. has become the musical director of his father’s band FAJARDO Y SUS ESTRELLAS in 2001. This 6-11 piece latin band brings much excitement to the stage in any event. Besides performing latin music this band can also perform some american classics to satisfy all dancers alike.
Bio Credit: The Bash
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