Edgardo Rafael Jiménez Arens, known artistically as "Pachapo," was a Puerto Rican pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader born on January 3, 1951, in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico. Raised in Naranjito, he received his nickname at age twenty-one from an aunt. He launched his musical career during the salsa boom of the 1970s, releasing his debut production with his group Pachapo y su Comparsa in 1972. This debut featured “La cumbia de Cúcuta” on Mericana Records, a label later acquired by Fania Records. Throughout his career, he led various formations, including Pachapo y Súper Tumbao and Pachapo y su Comparsa Latina All Stars, delivering hits like "No Le Digan," "Algo Criollo," "Charangano y Yemayá," and "Las Lomas de Mi Isla."
His music resonated strongly in Colombia, particularly in the city of Barranquilla. After a hiatus from the studio, he returned to recording in 2011 with "Alto piano," an album dedicated to Barranquilla, followed by "Salsa y dulzura" in 2013. In 2019, Pachapo y Su Comparsa Latina All Stars released "El Gran Joe Arroyo," a tribute album dedicated to the late Colombian singer-songwriter Joe Arroyo. Recorded in Medellín at Las Palmeras (the studios of Latina Stereo), the production featured collaborations with vocalists such as Mauro Mosquera and Meñique. His catalog also features the single "Abusador."
Pachapo released "Pachapo y su Comparsa Boricua-Cubana" in November 2023, which marked his final major recording. His death was reported in March 2025, drawing tributes from salsa communities across Colombia and Puerto Rico.
