Juan de Dios Ventura Soriano, professionally known as Johnny Ventura and nicknamed "El Caballo Mayor," was a Dominican singer, bandleader, and politician. Born on March 8, 1940, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Ventura first pursued music as a teenager. After winning first prize in a radio talent contest around the age of 16, he began formal musical studies and performed with local groups. In 1959, he adopted the stage name Johnny Ventura.
Over his career, Ventura became a central figure in modern merengue and salsa, recording more than 100 albums and incorporating innovative arrangements and distinctive showmanship into his performances. Aside from his musical achievements, Ventura also served as a politician in the Dominican Republic. His catalog includes retro-perspective compilations, such as the 2011 release "Mis Favoritas."
Ventura died on July 28, 2021, at the geographic and cultural heart of the Dominican music scene he helped shape.