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Jon Fausty

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Jon Fausty
Born(1949-02-20)February 20, 1949
Westchester County, New York, U.S.
DiedSeptember 29, 2023(2023-09-29) (aged 74)
GenresSalsa
Occupation(s)Audio engineer, producer
Years active1964–2022
LabelsFania Records

Jon Evan Fausty (February 20, 1949 – September 29, 2023) was an American multiple Grammy Award-winning sound and recording engineer best known for his work on some of the most successful Latin albums ever recorded.[1] [2]

Fausty's career spanned over six decades. He designed studios, produced and engineered recordings throughout the United States, Canada, Cuba and Europe [3]- both in studio and live performances.

Early career

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Born in Westchester, New York, of Russian and Hungarian Jewish ancestry, Fausty “helped shape the sound of Latin music.” [4] Fausty originally wanted to be a radio disc jockey but became interested in sound engineering after a chance visit in 1960 to Mirasound Studios in Manhattan. The engineers allowed him to watch and learn. His first job was at Groove Sound studios where he became Wiley C. Brooks' assistant. After Brooks left, Fausty became the chief engineer at 18 years old. He remained at Groove Studios for one year.

His first Latin recording was for the Cesta All-Stars at Groove Sound. New to Latin music and Latin instruments, he thought that he had botched the recording. He next went to Delta Studios, where he recorded jingles and commercials – and this is where he honed his skills. While at Delta, he recorded an album with Willie Rosario, Charlie Palmieri and Manique. These recordings allowed him to learn the “mathematics” of the salsa sound (clave & tumbao).[5]

Later career

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After a chance meeting with Larry Harlow at a friend's jam session, Harlow would later call Fausty and ask him to audition at Good Vibrations Sound Studios (formerly RKO Sound Studios) which was owned by Fania Records. Out of approximately 40 candidates Fausty was hired. Fausty was instrumental in fitting the studio with the latest technology including a retractable ceiling designed specifically to isolate the percussion sections from interfering with other aspects of the recording.[6]

Fausty recorded with Willie Colón, Héctor Lavoe, Ray Barretto, Johnny Pacheco, La Sonora Ponceña, Roberto Roena, Cheo Feliciano, the Lebrón Brothers, Ismael Miranda, Larry Harlow, Típica 73, Fania All-Stars, Bobby Valentin, Javier Vazquez, Pete "El Conde" Rodríguez, Mon Rivera, Tommy Olivencia, Caco, Mongo Santamaría, Lalo Rodríguez, Simon Perez, Rocky Pagan, Joe Cuba, Puerto Rico All Stars, La Lupe, Diego Melon, El Gran Combo, Willie Rosario, Johnny "Dandy" Rodríguez, Jerry González, Eddie Palmieri, Kip Hanrahan, Jack Bruce, Milton Cardona, Roberto Torres, Conjunto Classico, Daniel Ponce, Los Van Van, David Burn, Angel Canales, Christie Mcfol, Astor Piazzolla, Justo Betancourt, Johnny Ventura, Louie Ramirez, Bobby Rodriguez, Papo Vázquez, Munequitos de Matanzas, Tito Puente, Hilton Ruiz, Bronx Horns, Orlando Valle, Paquito D'Rivera, Yomo Toro, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Chucho Valdés, Manny Oquendo, Puerto Rican Power, Grupo Niche, Chico O'Farrill, George Benson, Jack Bruce, Vocal Sampling, Tito Nieves, Fernando Villalona, Víctor Manuelle, Luis "Perico" Ortiz, Los Vacillos, Esau Delgado, Angel Melendez, Machito Rivera, Ralphy Leavitt amongst others.[7]

Fausty had thousands of recordings [8] of which 18 have been awarded Grammy Awards. He won Grammys with Chucho Valdés, Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, Marc Anthony.[7]

Death

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Fausty died on September 29, 2023, in Tampa Florida at the age of 74.[9]

Selected discography

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References

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  1. ^ Muriel, Tommy (2016). Fania All-Stars: Salsa, Inc. [Cuatro décadas (y pico) de Nuestra Cosa Latina]. N.p.: Biblio Services, Inc. p. 220. ISBN 9781618872364.
  2. ^ Smith, Warren (2011). In the Heart of Showbiz A Biographical Triography of Variety Recording Studio, of Fernando Vargas and of Warren Allen Smith · Volume 1. New York: chelCBooks. p. 48. ISBN 978-1257042524.
  3. ^ White, Bob (2012). Music and Globalization: Critical Encounters. Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press. p. 121. ISBN 9780253223654.
  4. ^ Lapidus, Benjamin (2020). New York and the International Sound of Latin Music, 1940-1990 (American Made Music Series). Jackson: University Press of Mississippi. p. 232. ISBN 978-1496831293.
  5. ^ Byrne, David (2017). How Music Works. New York: Three Rivers Press. p. 186. ISBN 9780804188937.
  6. ^ Gurza, A. (13 November 1976). "Fania Finds The Perfect Studio". Billboard. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  7. ^ a b Fausty, Jon (2017). "Jon Fausty Exclusive Interview for Salsa Legends And Masters Academy" (video). Salsa Legends And Masters Academy.
  8. ^ D'Rivera, Paquito (2008). My Sax Life A Memoir. Evanston: Northwestern University Press. p. 110. ISBN 9780810125247.
  9. ^ "Murió Jon Fausty, considerado padre del sonido Fania". Salserismo Peru. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
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