top of page
Diseño sin título (4).png

RAY BAYONA

Artist NMJ

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube

Juan Reinaldo Bayona "Ray Bayona" was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador on May 27, 1965. Brave and talented sonero who has stood out in his time in the groups of Jimmy Bosch, Johnny Cruz, Ocho y más, Boricua Legendas,  and his band among others, he is also news in the world of Salsa when we listen to something that is not at all frequent, an Ecuadorian sonero. It is Ray Bayona who sounds the songs of the Jimmy Bosch Orchestra in his album, El Avion de la Salsa. Jimmy Bosch is aggressive and has been unloading the old labels to which he attributes Monga Salsa, which was not exactly the good Salsa, for the hard Salsa. Life gave him a voice and talent, and Ecuadorian Juan Ray Bayona has been able to take advantage of it to fulfill his dreams. In 1983, at the age of 17, the singer participated in a salsa contest on the television game show 'Chispazos' and when he won it, he knew that he would always be linked to music. He was part of Joe Mayorga's Guayaquil orchestra, but the sounds of the timbales, congas and salsa maracas would make him look for new directions. In 1991 he traveled to New York to look for his "real opportunity." He then decided to study music at the Harbor Performing Arts Center in Manhattan. His teacher, Thelma Ithier, daughter of the director of El Gran Combo, Rafael Ithier, trained Ray so that he could sing in the student school directed by the composer Ramón Rodríguez, remembered for the group La Masacre, which he formed with Tito Nieves. Soon after, Bayona found work as a singer with a group called Sabor del Pueblo, with which he gained experience in salsa bands, in which he was able to expose his voice and percussion knowledge and make a name for himself in the cradle of salsa, New York". He was lead vocalist in the orchestra of Jimmy Bosch, a famous American trombonist with whom he gained fame singing songs such as Otra oportunidad and Muy joven para mí. In 2006 he joined the group 8 y más, where he played with renowned Latin American salsa artists such as Bobby Allende, Angel Fernandez and Ricky Gonzalez. As "one of the best soneros of today, at a time when salsa is going through a hard transition," this is how he is cataloged by several Latino media outlets, including the Univision network. Currently, Juan Ray Bayona performs as a soloist in his own orchestra, because he says he has acquired the necessary experience to "walk alone". Among his plans is to release an album next year with his songs and some arrangements of classic sauces. Inspire by  Ismael Rivera, Chamaco Ramírez and Héctor Lavoe. 

Ray Bayona

DISCOGRAPHY

I want to begin by thanking the Father who gives me His Holy Light, Guidance, Protection, and Blessing every day... My Shield and My Sword. I also thank NMJ Animal Music Records, and its President Wito Rodriguez for allowing me to be part of this Musical Family. And the Most Important Thing for Me... Thank you very much to my Salsa Public who always support me and back me up in good times and bad... Thank you my Gasolina!!.. ♥

Share

NMJ Animal Music Records LLC,

205 Sherwood Drive Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17202

nmjanimalmusicrecord@gmail.com

+1 813-785-3086

bottom of page